'MI
Gc M, L,
942.4601
Stl3c
1898
Nev7 ser.
1134129 <SENEALOCy ttOLLECT.O^J
r^
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLI
'. . 3 1833 00662 7225
THE
GRESLEYS OF DRAKELOWE
©xforS
HORACE HART, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
^r.
GresUys of Drnkelowe
SIR PETER DE GRESLEV
d. about A.D. 1310
i^Froii, Brit. Miis. MS. Hail. 420s, fol 112, of the ijtl, cent.
(Bfe0fe^0 of *S)ra6efon)e
An Account of the Family, and Notes of its
connexions by Marriage and Descent
from the Norman Conquest
to the Present Day
fVif/i Appendixes, Pedigrees and Illustrations
COMPILED BY
FALCONER MADAN, M.A.
FELLOW OF BRASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD
PRINTED FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Slpcliorc Jfilic titiam iFocmna
GRESLEY MOTTO.
More Faithful than Forlunale.
In what old story far away,
In what great action is enshrined.
The sad sweet motto which to-day
Around the Gresleys* name is twined ?
Was it for country or for crown
They played a grand tho' tragic part?
Or did they lay their fortune down
To strive to win one careless heart?
We cannot tell : but this we know,
That they wlio chose in that dim past
Those noble words,— come weal come woe —
Stood by them stedfast to the last.
And this we feel, when deep in dust
Lie earthly hopes and worldly state,
In that far Land where all is just.
The Faithful will be Fortunate.
FLORENCE SEVERNE.
1131129
CONTENTS
PAGE
Preface vii
CHAP.
I. The Norman Family of Toeni, and its settlement in
England i
II. Robert de Stafford and Nigel de Stafford . . . i6
III. The early Gresleys 24
IV. The Gresleys in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries . 52
Notes 74
V. The line of Baronets from 1611 to 1837 .... 80
Notes 84, 95
VI. The line of Baronets from 1S37 to the present time . 129
VII. The Collateral Branches, from the seventeenth
century: — 134
A. The Worcestershire and Bristol Gresleys . 135
B. The Australian Gresleys 142
C. The North Wales and Liverpool Gresleys . 146
D. The family of Richard Gresley .... 148
E. Unidentified Gresleys 153
Notes 357
VIII. Drakelowe. By Sir Robert Gresley, Baronet . . 161
Notes (list of portraits, etc.) 165
A3
Contents
APPENDIXES.
PAGE
A. Gresley Castle, Priory, and Church 171
B. Notes on the Manors and Possessions of the Family . 182
C. The Gresley Arms, Seals, Crest, and Motto . . . 205
D. The Grellys, Barons of Manchester, the Greasleys, and
other families of similar name but unconnected
with the Gresleys 208
E. Account of the MSS. and Authorities used (the Gresley
Chartulary, the Drakelowe Muniments, the Rev.
J. M. Gresley's Collections, etc.) .... 212
PEDIGREES.
Toeni (i) 223
Gresley (ii-vii) 224
Families which have intermarried with the Gresleys, in
alphabetical order (viii-lxxiii) 235
Index 301
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Sir Peter de Gresley {coloured) to face title
Drakelowe to face p. 161
Gresley Priory (pla)i) to face p. 174
Gresley Church to face p.iqq
PREFACE
The present volume is the best description which the
author is able to give of the successive generations of
a remarkable family. An ideal family history would require
historical genius in the writer, leisure for research, a lavish
outlay, and plentiful material. In the present instance the
last of these conditions is the only one of which fulfilment
can be claimed. The late Rev. John Morewood Gresley,
a trained antiquary, amassed a large number of Gresley
records from authentic sources, and the contemplation of
these, late in the year 1895, was the cause of the present
endeavour to raise a memorial both of Mr. Gresley's labours
and of the ancient family to which he belonged.
The Gresley family is perhaps unique in combining a
proved succession in the male line from the eleventh century
to the present time with the occupation for the last seven
hundred years of a manor which was held by an ancestor at
the time of the Domesday Survey. The property and in-
fluence of the Gresleys have been almost equally divided
between Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire,
Drakelowe lying in Derbyshire near the point where the
three shires meet; and in each they have held a high
position and have formed connexions by marriage with the
leading families. Their antiquity and local fixity attracted
the attention of Sir Henry Ellis (Introd. to Domesday
i. 346-7), the Rev. R. W. Eyton (Salt Society's publications
i. 223), and other antiquaries: while, if the hnk with the
Norman family of Toeni be accepted, the pedigree in the
male line is continuous for nine hundred years.
viii Preface
The story begins with the prominent Norman family of
Toeni, the head of which was hereditary Standard-bearer
of the Dukes of Normandy. At the Battle of Hastings, how-
ever, Ralph de Toeni asked permission to fight in the ranks,
and his services and those of his brother, Robert de Stafford,
were rewarded with broad lands in England after the
Conquest. A Nigel de Stafford who also appears as an
extensive landowner at the time of the Domesday Survey,
was in all probability the son of Robert, and was certainly
the father of the first who bore the name of Gresley. The
curious legend of the Devil of Drakelowe supphes the reason
why the family name was Gresley rather than Drakelowe.
The Gresleys thenceforward seem to have lived for some
years at Gresley Castle, and, as holding their lands in capite,
ranked among the Barones minores. They took their full
share of military service as knights : indeed one generation,
the family of Sir Peter, was so exceedingly militant as to
deserve a less honourable appellation. The family steadily
increased in wealth until a marriage with the heiress of the
Wasteneys of Colton, in the middle of the fourteenth century,
raised it to a leading position in the county— a position
retained more by diplomacy than force through the Wars of
the Roses. In Elizabeth's time the head of the family incurred
debts which caused the sale of Colton and several other
manors, and the baronetcy conferred on Sir George Gresley
in 1611 was not accompanied by any retrieval of these losses.
In the Civil War the first Baronet was a Parliamentarian,
but his grandson, Sir Thomas, was in favour after the
Restoration, and by his marriage recovered an important
part of the property which had been sold at the beginning
of the century.
At this point the family divides into two branches, the
eldest son William carrying on the line of Baronets and
residing at Drakelowe, while the younger, Thomas, became
the progenitor of a line of Squires and Rectors of Seile,
residing at Nether Seile. In 1837 however, with Sir Roger
Gresley, the elder branch died out, and the Rector of Seile
Preface ix
at that time, who was Sir Roger's first and fourth cousin,
became the ninth Baronet, and was the grandfather of the
present Baronet, Sir Robert, whose two sons augur well for
the continuance of this wonderful pedigree.
The present volume is not published. Every member of
the William Salt Archasological Society receives a copy
of the ordinary edition, as do subscribers before issue,
a list of whom is subjoined. The special edition is limited
to fifty copies, which have all been subscribed for.
The author has to offer his best thanks to many welcome
helpers. The present head of the family, Sir Robert Gresley,
Baronet, of Drakelowe, Burton on Trent, has taken a warm
personal interest in the scheme, and has himself contributed
chapter VIII; and Major-General the Hon. George Wrot-
tesley, who is the life and soul of the William Salt Society
and an indefatigable historian, has given most valuable help,
especially in the earlier chapters : while Mr. J. Horace Round,
Lord Hawkesbury, Miss Agnes Gresley of Barton under
Needwood, Mr. Nigel Gresley (for the Australian branch)
and Miss Govett (for the Bristol Gresleys), with others too
numerous to mention, have supplied valuable information.
Notes and criticisms of the present book will be gladly
received, in view of the possible issue of a few pages of
Addenda at some later period.
Brasenose College, Oxford.
September, 1899.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
{An asterisk indicates t/iat tiioie t/iai: one copy is snbsaibed for.')
ORDINARY EDITION
The Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, London.
C. B. Ball, Esq., M.D., 24 Merrion Square, N., Dublin.
Prof. Sir Robert Ball, The Observatory, Cambridge.
Roger Bass, Esq., West Hallam Hall, Derby.
H. H. Bemrose, Esq., Lonsdale Hill, Derby.
Reginald Blomfield, 51 Frognal, Hampstead, London, N.W.
F. W. Caulfield, Esq., Fo.'i Hall, Bentley, Hants.
Chetham's Library, Hunt's Bank, Manchester, (per W. T. Browne, Esq.).
G. E. CoKAYNE, Esq., Clarenceux King of Arms, College of Arms, London, E.G.
Miss Crewe, 36 Stanhope Gardens. London, S.W.
H. H. Crewe, Esq., D.L., Spring Hill, East Cowes, LW.
*N. C. Curzon, Esq., Lockington Hall, Derby.
Rev. Canon Denton, R.D., The Vicarage, Ashby de la Zouch.
Mrs. Edwards, The Batch, Flax Bourton, Bristol.
*E. F. Elton, Esq., Wellington College, Berks.
John German, Esq., Estate Office, Ashby de la Zouch.
Miss Govett, 3 Lipson Terrace, Plymouth.
Lady Gresley, 55 Great Cumberland Place, London, W.
Miss Amelia Gresley, Pinehurst, Clevedon, Somerset.
Charles Gresley. Esq., The Close, Lichfield.
*Mrs. Gresley, The Close, Lichfield.
Rev. C. V. Gresley, Newton upon Ouse, York.
Miss Eleanor Gresley, The Close, Lichfield.
Rev. Geoffrey Gresley, The Vicarage, Observatory Road, Capetown.
Miss Maria Gresley, care of Charles Gresley, Esq., The Close, Lichfield.
Rev. Nigel Gresley, Netherseale Rectory, Ashby de la Zouch.
Nigel Bowyer Gresley, Esq., care of the Bank of British North America,
52 Wall St., New York, U.S.A.
N. Egekton Gresley, Esq., The Close, Lichfield.
Rev N. W. Gresley, R.D., The Rectory. Dursley, Gloucestershire.
R. Gresley, Esq., Merdon, Rodwell, Weymouth.
*Sir Robert Gresley, Baronet, Drakelowe, Burton on Trent.
Rev. Prebendary Roger Gresley, Rowbarton, Taunton.
Miss W. M. Gresley, The Close, Lichfield.
W. N. Gresley, Esq., 60 Eaton Terrace, London, S.W.
W. S. Gresley, Esq., 348 West 8th St., Erie, Pa., U.S.A.
Guildhall Library, London, E.C. (per C. Welch, Esq., F.S.A.).
David Hale, Esq., Ashby de la Zouch.
R. Ghesley Hall, Esq., 60 Avenue Road, Regent's Park, London.
Rev. A. Gresley Hellicar, Bromley Vicarage, Kent.
R. Hovenden, Esq., Heathcote, Park Hill Road, Croydon.
List of Subscribers
Rev. William Inge, D.D., Provost of Worcester College. Oxford.
I. H. Jeayes, Esq., Dept. of MSS., British Museum, London.
M. E. Lavers. Esq., 6 Stanley Gardens, Kensington Park, London, W.
W. B. Lee, Esq., Seend, Melksham.
C. S. Madan, Esq., lo Belfield Road, Didsbury, Manchester.
*F. Madan, Esq., Brasenose College, O.xford.
*Mis. G. Madan, Bearland House, Gloucester.
Rev. J. R. Madan, Downton, Salisbury.
Rev. Canon Nigel Madan, West Hallam Rectory, Derby.
Rev. A. R. Maddison, Vicars' Court, Lincoln.
Mrs. F. Manley, The Firs, Abergavenny.
Lieut.-Col. C. Milligan, Caldwell Hall, Burton on Trent.
Mrs. E. G. Mynors, Evancoyd, Kington, Herefordshire.
Miss Agatha Paget, Avenue House, Elford, Tamworth.
Mrs. PAYNE-GALLViiEY, Clearmont, Rodvvell, Weymouth.
Rev. G. Gresley Perry, Waddington Rectory, Lincoln.
Rev. G. H. Perry, St. Matthew's Vicarage, City Road, London, E.C.
Mrs. Severne, Wallop, Shrewsbury.
Mrs. Shepherd, per the Rev. H. James, Great Witcombe Rectory, Gloucester.
Sir George Sitwell, Scarborough.
Capt. J. Stewart, Alltyrodyn, Llandyssil, South Wales.
Mrs. Strutt, care of Nigel Gresley, Esq., 38 Hogarth Road, London, S.W.
Rev. J. Sunderland, Egginton Vicarage, Leighton Buzzard.
Miss Tatlock, Bramfield House, Halesworth, Suffolk.
H. R. Tedder, Esq., The Athenaium Club, Pall Mall, London.
Mrs. Vavasour, Hill House, Leckhampton, near Cheltenham.
*The William Salt Archa:ological Society [by special arrangement).
Rev. Arthur Willoughby, Mona View, Cheltenham.
A. Worthington, Esq., Maple Hayes, Lichfield.
SPECIAL EDITION
H. H. Bemrose, Esq., Lonsdale Hill, Derby.
R. S. Boddincton, Esq., 15 Markham Square, Chelsea, London, S.W.
G. T. Clark, Esq., F.S.A., Talygarn, Llantrissant, Pont-y-CIun.
*Mrs. Cohen, 5 Southwick Crescent, Hyde Park, London, W.
Lady Cunliffe, Acton Park, Wre.xham.
The Dowager Lady Gresley, Barton under Needwood, Burton on Trent.
Miss Agnes Gresley, Barton under Needwood, Burton on Trent.
Capt. Arthur Gresley, R.N., Barton under Needwood, Burton on Trent.
Charles Gresley, Esq., The Close, Lichfield.
Miss L B. Gresley, The Close, Lichfield.
Rev. L. S. Gresley, Birdsall, York.
Rev. N. W. Gresley, R.D., The Rectory, Dursley, Gloucestershire.
Nigel Gresley, Esq., 38 Hogarth Road, South Kensington, London, S.W.
*Sir Robert Gresley, Baronet, Drakelowe, Burton on Trent.
Rt. Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, Kirkham Abbey, York.
W. A. Lindsay, Esq., Windsor Herald, College of Arms, London, E.C.
Miss Madan, Preswylfa, Llanfairfechan, North Wales.
*F. Madan, Esq., Brasenose College, Oxford.
W. Mallalieu, Esq., Swallows' Rest, Ockbrook, Derby.
Public Free Library, Manchester (per C. W. Sutton, Esq.).
R. L. Pemberton, Esq., Hawthorn Tower, Seaham, county of Durham.
F. C. Perry, Esq., Diinston, near Stafford.
Thomas Salt, Esq., Weeping Cross, Stafford.
Mrs. Shawe, Weddington Hall, Nuneaton.
Hon. F. Strutt, Milford House, Derby.
Rev. George Woodyatt, 41 Brunswick Place, Hove, Brighton.
Major-Gen. the Hon. George Wrottesley, 75 Cadogan Gardens, London, S.W.
"OnoY nof AN (LciN 'ANAPEI,
. . . tNTAYGA Tel^H ka'i noAeic.
Aristides.
J!ri)c lAnigfjts' bones arc iiist,
ant tljcir gooC stoortis rust;
2E!)cir souls ate toitl) tl)c faints, toe trust.
Coleridge.
THE
GRESLEYS OF DRAKELOWE
CHAPTER I
THE NORMAN FAMILY OF TOENI, AND ITS
SETTLEMENT IN ENGLAND
The Norwegian Vikings or ' Northmen ' who in the
second half of the ninth century began to harry the shores
of Northern Gaul, and who at last under RoUo obtained
a firm footing on land in the district round Rouen, can hav^e
had little idea of their future influence on England. That
island seemed destined rather to fall into the hands of their
kinsmen the Danes, while the new-comers in Gaul were
fully occupied in building up the Duchy of Normandy,
'the only permanent Northern state* within the limits of « c. F. Keary,
the ancient Carlovingian Empire.' But so it was ordained westfrn"
by fate, that while perhaps no Englishman can boast, or ^L"'d''"8°'"i
cares to boast, of a Danish descent from before the p. 438^
Conquest, the chief families of Normandy should be the
coveted ancestry of the oldest houses in the kingdom.
An example of this may be seen in the great Norman
family of Toeni, the head of which for at least two
generations before the invasion of England held the high
position of Standard-bearer of the Dukes of Normandy.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Their Mixed Descent.
If Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy, was of Scandinavian
blood, as is generally allowed, the Toenis must be conceded
a similar origin : for Roger de Toeni, the second who bore
I" Hist. Norm, that Surname, is expressly stated by William of Jumieges ''
^"' ^' (Gulielmus Gemeticensis), or rather his continuator, to have
been 'de stirpe Malahulcii qui Rollonis Ducis [Normanniae]
' 'paternal patruus "" fuit et cum eo Francos atterens Normanniam
fortiter adquisierat.' With this clue we can give in out-
line the traditional descent of the Toenis from Fornjot King
of Finland to Ivar, and the historical pedigree from the latter
* R. s. onward. The first part"* is: — Fornjot King of Finland —
Ssgas'i), *^^ ' Kari — Thorri — Gorr — Heiti — SveiSi — Halfdan the Old —
pp- 1-4- Jvar, Jarl of the Uplanders (Oplasndingejarl). From this
point we are on clearer ground, and it may be convenient
for reference to carry Rollo's pedigree down to William
OR. s. ut the Conqueror. The line is^:— Ivar — Eystein Glumra
Munches""'' (Eystein the Eloquent or Nois}') — Rognvald riki, Jarl of
HisttrL™''' both the Msren and of Romsdal : married Hilda (or in full
eenjai xi: Raguhilda), dau. of Hrolf Nefja : d. 890: his brother Sigurd
Chaiiiu, The riki was the first Earl of Orkney, d. 874 — Rollo, first Duke
(iSSgf i. 462- of Normandy (in French Rou, properly Hrolf, known from
his stature as Gongu-Hrolf '' : b. 846?, d. about 931: his
brothers were Ivar and Thorir the Silent) — William i
ruie'n';''^' (2nd Duke, d. 942)— Richard i (3rd Duke, d. 996) —
horse could Richard ii (4th Duke, d. 1026) — Richard iii (5th Duke,
d. 1028) — Robert (a brother, 6th Duke, d. 1035) — William
the Conqueror (7th Duke, King of England, d. 1087).
From what has been said above we are perhaps justified
in assuming that an unrecorded brother of Rognvald bore
a name (probably Malahultis) which appears in its latinized
form as Malahulcius, and that he was a lineal ancestor of the
Toenis. It must be noted however that Dudo of St. Quentin,
the first Norman historian (fi. 1000-25), knows nothing of
Rollo as a Norwegian, but assigns him a Danish (or what
meant the same, a Dacian) origin : and his authority has
' 'Rolf the
Gang!
The Norman Family of Tocni
been followed by Lair s, Steenstrup ^ and others. Non chap. i.
nostrum tantas—, but both sides concede ultimately to Rollo ^ ~ ^
. ■ Dudon, ed.
a Scandinavian ancestry. Even Malahulcius's name has byLair(Caen,
been attacked by Bouquet, the editor of the Recueil des pp^49-78.'
Historiens de France (xi. 38), who reads the passage above " Etudes prg-
quoted as ' de stirpe mala Hulcii,' citing the corresponding (^caen, 1880;.
French passage, taken from the Latin of Jumieges, in the
Chroniqucs de France or Chroniqncs de Saint-Dcnys (ibid.
xi. 401), which reads ' Rogiers Thohins hons estraiz &
descendu de mauvese racine ' : but it is probable from the
omission of any French equivalent of 'Hulcii' or the next
clause, that the translator was puzzled. Steenstrup however
seizes the idea, and tries to identify Huncdeus (probably
Hunthiofr), a Norman leader, with Hulcius! As a fact,
Malahultis is a good Norwegian name and there is no reason
for changing the received text.
But there is some evidence also that the Toenis were
of mixed descent, and had Frankish blood in their veins,
as may well have been the case. This appears from the
following fact. Hugh, archbishop of Rouen from 942 to
989, and elected to that office by Duke William (who was
probably his kinsman), held as part of the possessions of
his see the fief of Todiniacum or Toeni. But he was
a man 'prosapia clarus, sed ignobilis cunctis operibus,' and
alienated this fief, bestowing it, with all its appurtenances,
on ' frater suus Rodulphus, potentissimus vir, fihus Hugonis
de Calvacamp ' (Calvacamp being stated to be the name
of a village near Dieppe). This is attested by the Acta
Arcliiepiscoponnn Rotliomagensimn printed in Mabillon's
Vetera Analccta (1723 edition, p. 223). It can hardly be
doubted that this Rodulphus is the first Toeni, so that
we here obtain the origin of the name of Toeni ; and as
we know that the first Toeni was alive and had a grown-
up son in about a.d. 1020, it may be conjectured on a com-
parison of dates and generations that at least one generation
intervened between Malahulcius and Hugh de Cavalcamp.
In the absence of evidence it is idle to speculate whether
B 2
TJie Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. I. Hugh married a grand-daughter or other female descendant
of the former: but that relationship would satisfy the proba-
bilities of the position.
This relationship with a Frankish family is said to be
also affirmed in one of the Continuations of William of
'Folio Will. Tumieges', and M. Prevost, the editor of Ordericus Vitalis,
Salt MS. at -^ ^ ' ..'-it--- r ■„
Stafford goes SO tar as to write ^ oi the 1 oenis cette famille, par
lettered
' Gresley.'
une exception bien rare chez les seigneurs normands, parait
i Prevost's n'avoir pas ete d'origine scandinave, mais etre sortie d'un
°7'^«.^"'^' personnage franc nomme Hugue de Calvacamp.' In sharp
!■ Normandy Contrast with this Palgrave ^ says that the Toeni pedigree
fii(i86!f).^2o.3. 'affords one of the very few instances in which the ancestry
of a Norman is deduced from a genuine Northman ' ! The
Toenis were, in fact, an unfortunate example for either
writer to take, for reasons stated above.
Before we turn to the actual line of Toeni, a few words
may be said about its eponymous village.
Tosny, or Tceni.
Tosny is a small village on the left bank of the Seine
in the canton of Gaillon and department of L'Eure, near the
well-known Chateau Gaillard. The Seine at this point
' Plan in makcs a horseshoe curve ', sweeping beneath the heights of
Duc's'^Dicl Les Andelys on which the chateau stands, and which look
de rArch.
Fran;. (1854
across the river in a south-westerly direction over level
68), i'ii. 85."" meadows enclosed by the river's bend. Within this bend
a spectator from the castle would see the two villages of
Bernieres and Tosny, the former on the right hand, the
latter a little nearer and on the left, close to the Seine.
It is not without significance, as will shortly be seen, that
in Cassini's large Atlas (1744) a place called Grange le
Conches is to be found close to Tosny. The name has
"> Biosseviile, Varied" between Toeni (Toenium), Totteneium, Todiniacum,
de"i'Eure°^' Thony (Thonaium), and Toni (Toniacum), with minor
(1877)- variations, but appears to be now fixed as Tosny. Toeni
and its meadows belonged, as has been stated, to the arch-
The Norman Family of Toeni
bishopric of Rouen, until alienated by the first Toeni's Chap. I.
brother, to give a name and place to the family in which
we are interested.
Ralph i de Toeni (fl. a.d. iooo).
Of the first of the family we know very little. In about
I020 Richard ii Duke of Normandy placed him and his
son Roger ('Rodulphus" Toennensis & Rogerius filius ° Jum. v. lo.
ejusdem,' ' Raoul° de Thoeini [in the printed edition Thocini] " Chron. of
& Rogier son fil') with Nigel de Coutances (Neel de (Rec. d'es
St. Sauveur) and others in charge of the castle of Tillieres " ance'^^^.
(Castrum Tegulense) to hold it against Odo of Chartres, 308 b).
the Duke's brother-in-law, who had revolted. Odo boldly
attacked Tillieres, but was entirely routed and barely escaped
with his life. It is possible that this Ralph is the ' Rodulphus
Todinensis ' who is found in a single MS. of Leo Marsicanus's
Chronica Monasterii Casiuensis^ as one of forty Normans p Pertz, Mon,
who were trying their fortunes in Italy and are mentioned sc^Hptt. v'il '
as at Capua in about 1012. If we place Ralph's acquisition ^^2, ^f- 676.
of Toeni in about 970-80, he may be said to have ' flourished '
in about a.d. iooo. In Lord Lindsay's Lives of the Lindsays
(2nd ed., 1858) a Hugo de Limesay (ancestor of the Lindsays)
is put forward as another son of Ralph, besides Roger:
but I have not met with any proof or corroboration of the
statement. In an undated charter' of Richard Duke of " Mem. de la
Normandy to Lisieux, supposed to be of about 1028, one Antiqu. de
of the witnesses is ' Rodulphus filius Rodulphi de Todeniaco,' xi°i™844)^'
of whom I can render no account, if the words quoted are p- i°"-
correct. But the charter is certainly carelessly copied or
edited, for one of the witnesses is ' Hebertus episcopus
Ambianensis' (instead of Lexoviensts), and if so the first
' Rodulphus ' may be an error for ' Rogerius.' M. Gardin ' ■■ Conches,
asserts, but without quoting any authority, that Ralph in ^' "'
the tenth century possessed Castillon (Chatillon) the site
of an old Roman camp close to, and indeed part of, the town
of Conches: but this must be regarded at present as due
to some confusion with his son Roger.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Roger i de Toeni (occ. abt. 1020, d. abt. 1040).
With this Roger, son of the first Toeni, we may be said to
emerge into the light of history. He appears as a typical
leader among the Norman nobles, proud of his connexion
with the Dukes of Normandy, contemptuous of the base-born
Duke William, quarrelsome among his peers, ready to
engage in far distant expeditions for fame and booty, careless
of the sufferings of others, and yet without inconsistency the
founder of an abbey which should expiate his misdeeds.
We have seen that in about 1020 he shared his father's
success at Tillieres. In about 1035 he undoubtedly
signalized his connexion with Conches (see p. 8) by founding
a Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul in close
proximity at Chatillon. But the great fact in his life is
Conqu. "i (3rd the expedition to Spain from which he derived his name of
2^6 465, V. ^jg Hispania, Hispanicus, or d'Espagne. Freeman even says *
« Caumont, that he 'was the first to carry the Norman arms into the
1st s.^h!"""' Spanish peninsula ' : and it appears that he was sent by
(1836)243, Henry i of France' between 1031 and 1035, with other
" Ademar, iii. Normaus, to help Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon.
55 in Pertz' fhg rough Normau leader gained a reputation for cruelty,
Hist.Scriptt., but also for invincibility: and after his victories found a wife
Dozy,°Re- for himsclf in Godehildis'' daughter of Raymundus (son of
ed^fisso^'^'^ Borellus and Count of Barcelona), who had died in 1017, and
'• 37, »• 333- of his wife Ermensenda. In 1035 when Robert Duke of
inBaiuzius, ' Normaudy was dead and succeeded by his illegitimate son
O688),"oi!'' William (the Conqueror), we find Roger de Toeni back in
542. France, indignant that a base-born man should rule the
HUtt^'dl"^ duchy and ready to join Neel de St. Sauveur, viscount of
France, xi. tj-jg Cotentin, in a revolt against him. The occasion was
329 A. . °
' ibid. xi. soon afforded, but in a fight with Roger de Bello Monte
401 CD. (Beaumont), son of Humfridus de Vetulis whose property
viJiT7:^Ord'. ^ad been attacked, both Roger and two of his young sons
Vit. i 180. ii. Helbertus and Ehnantius (Hebert and Helmant\ Herberz
40, 369, ni. . '
338. and Ahnanz ") were killed '', apparently at the end of May in
The Norman Family of Toeni
about 1040. So fell the turbulent and proud Norman who Chap. i.
had achieved the position of Standard-bearer of the Dulce ~~~
and carried the fame of the Northmen into Spain. He
was buried in the abbey he had founded at Conches on
May 30, a day ever after kept there as the ' Depositio Domini
Rogerii fundatoris istius ecclesiae''.' It is recorded that his y Obit._
body was laid ' dans le chapitre soubz une pierre facon de Neustria"pia
marbre taillee tout simplement, et elevee de terre d'un pied ^^g-
sur trois liones de pierre: on ny voit aucune marque ny
auscune escriture ^' On May 7, 1463, his body and those of "■ Pans, Bibi.
his wife and children were re-discovered and solemnly sl Germ',
attested ". It may be added that Ansgotus Normannus was ^°^^-
a relative of ' Rogerius Toenis qui Hispanicus vocabatur "^ ' : clii. ch^rfft.'
and that a deed of gift by Roger is printed in Gallia Christiana ""• ^'*^^-
^ ^ " Ord. Vit.
XL mstrr. 120 D. ii. 64.
His wife was Godehildis, see above, who after his death
married as his second wife Richard count of Evreux, son of
Robert archbishop of Rouen and grandson of Richard i
Duke of Normandy. Count Richard died in 1067, having
first married Adela or Helena, who is often confused with
Godehildis. By the latter he had a son William who
succeeded him, a daughter Agnes (see p. 11), and a daughter
Godehildis who became nun and abbess of the Benedictine
nunnery of St. Saviour at Evreux, founded by her father.
Deeds by Godehildis as countess of £vreux are printed in
Gallia Christiana xi. instrr. 129 B, 130 B.
Their issue was : —
Helbert ) 1. .^1 j- j ^
„ ,. ^. \ both died young, see p. 6.
Hehnantius ) j o. k
Ralph, see p. 9.
Robert de Stafford, see p. 16.
Adelina or Adeliza. She married WilHam Fitz-Osberne, who fought
at the battle of Hastings and was Count of Breteuil and Earl of Hereford
(d. 1070). They were founders of the abbeys of Lire (Lira) and Cor-
meilles (Cormeliae), and were buried in them, she in the former, he (the
survivor) in the latter. Their children were William who became Lord
of Breteuil, Ralph a monk at Cormeilles, Roger Earl of Hereford whose
issue was soon extinct, and two daughters, one named Emma.
The Grcslcys of Drakeloive
Conches (Chatillon).
The seat of the Toenis may now be briefly described,
chiefly by notes from Alex. Gardin's Notice historique sur la
ville de Conches (Evreux, 1865, 8") : he quotes however few
authorities, and is not entirely trustworthy on matters of
history.
The present town of Conches hes on the right bank of the
little stream of the Rouloir, about eleven miles south-west of
Evreux. The Rouloir soon joins the Iton, which flows into
the Eure at Acquigny, and the Eure into the Seine at Pont
de I'Arche. But the first abode of the Toenis was a place
more than a mile to the west of Conches, which is now
'Cf Caumont, Called Vieux-Conches, and there Ralph de Toeni settled
f^a.T""" ' himself ■= early in the eleventh century, building a fortress of
(1836) 224, which remains still exist. Near it a church of St. Ouen was
built, and round it grew a little village bearing the same
name as the church. After Ralph's death, however, his son
Roger removed (in about 1030?) to a spot then called
Chastillon (Castellio), probably from a Roman camp in the
neighbourhood, and there not only built the imposing walls,
within which a central fortress of the twelfth century still in
great measure defies the destructive influence of Time, but
also founded the Benedictine abbey already mentioned.
Chatillon is now practically included in Conches, and one of
the gates is still called the Porte de Chatillon. The abbey
was variously known as Coenobium SS. Petri et Pauli de
Castellione, Ecclesia Castellionensis, or Castellionensis ab-
batia apud Conchas. A long list of its abbots and other
information are in Gallia Christiana, tom. xi. col. 637. The
church of Ste. Foy is said to have been also begun in Roger's
* L'abbe time, and the story is * that Roger on his return from Spain
Revui'^de" mzd& a pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella, and on his
a^^'^sir^'u ^"' '^^'^y ^^'^^ '° England (!) visited the shrine of Ste. Foy (Fides,
(1875), p- 375- martyred at Agen in about a.d. 300) at Conques (Conchae
The Norman Family of Tocni
Rutenorum, in the Departement d'Aveyron), from which he Chap. i.
brought some relics to hallow his new church at Chatillon,
thenceforward itself called Conchae or Conches. The
modern church of Ste. Foy, which is the most conspicuous
feature in the Conches of to-day, is of later date but on the
same site. The old castle built by Roger or his successors
is of prodigious strength, consisting of a circular donjon with
massive walls, a ring of bastions and walls surrounding the
keep, and a large and nearly circular area, about 300 feet in
diameter, enclosed by the outer wall. The fortifications on
the south-east look down a steep declivity to the stream
below.
The Toenis remained Lords of Conches until June i, 1204,
Roger de Toeni being then the only exception made when
Philippe Auguste allowed the Norman barons to regain their
possessions by the capitulation of Rouen. Conches was
then given to the King's cousin Robert de Courtenay, and
in about 1250 to his grand-daughter who had married
Robert ii, count of Artois. Its ancient history may be said
to end with its union in 1343 with the Duchy of Normandy.
Ralph ii de Toeni, or de Conchis (senex).
Although not in the main line of the family so far as the
Gresleys are concerned, it is impossible to pass over the
second Ralph de Toeni, who was perhaps the most prominent
of all this Norman house. He seems to have been born in
about 1037, and first emerges into notice at the battle of
Mortemer " in 1054, where Duke William obtained a complete » Ord. Vit.
victory over the King's troops. It was the young Ralph de '^■*'
Toeni who was selected by the Duke to report this over-
whelming disaster to the King himself. Ralph made his
way by night to a hill which overlooked the King's camp,
and soon his voice was heard through the darkness, bidding
the French to sleep no longer but go to Mortemer to bear off
and bury their comrades, and proclaiming the flight of the
King's brother and the capture of Earl Wido. The very
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
' Turn. vii. 24 :
Rad. de
Diceto (R S.
Ixviii) i. 190:
Rob, of
Torigny(R.S.
Ixxxii)iv. 33:
Chron. de S.
Denis in Rec.
des Histt. xi.
404 C. See
below.
8 Ord. Vit.
•" Aime in
Dozy, Rc-
cherches ii.
335-
' Ord. Vit. ii.
401-3.
! Ord. Vit.
" Robert
Wace, Rom.
de Rou, ed.
Andersen
(1877} vol. 2,
Pt- 3. P- 330-
vv. 7598-608 :
see below.
words of his (traditional) speech are preserved ', and such
was their effect that the French king fled with the utmost
haste. In 1063 however Ralph was one of the Norman
nobles who for their continual quarrellings were deprived of
all their possessions by Duke William and driven from
Normandy 8. It can hardly be an accidental coincidence that
in about 1064-5 we hear of a fresh expedition of Normans to
Spain ^, but the name of Ralph de Toeni does not occur.
After the Conquest of England however we know for certain
that Ralph did make a journey to Spain and at the monastery
of St. Evroul at Ouche (Uticum) * promised help to the abbey
if he returned in safety : and after his return in fulfilment of
his vow gave to it lands in Toeni, Conches and elsewhere.
This journey is however generally placed in about 1075, and
could not be earlier than 1066, while the restoration of the
exiled barons is placed by Prevost as early as 1063-', the
same year as the expulsion. At any rate Ralph and the other
delinquents recovered their domains, and he was certainly
in full amity with the Duke at the time of the invasion of
England.
At the memorable battle of Hastings or Senlac in 1066 it
was the office of Ralph de Toeni to bear in person the
Standard of the Duke of Normandy, but, according to the
Roman de Ron ^, when Duke William called on him to carry
the Standard, which the Pope had sent him, as his duty by
right and by ancestry, Ralph thanked him for acknowledging
the ancient right of the Toenis, but claimed quittance of the
service on this occasion in order that he might take full share
in the actual fighting. A similar request was made by
' Franceis, Franceis, levez, levez,
Tenez vos veies ; trop dormez.
Allez vos amis enterrer
Ki sont occis a Mortemer.
K. Le Hericher, Hist, et glossaire dti Norniand (n. d.'.
The original runs : — •
Portez, dist il, mon gonfanon,
Ne uos uoil faire se dreit non:
Par dreit e par anceisorie
Deiuent estre de Normendie
Vostre parent ponfanonier,
Mult furcnt tuit boen chcualier.
The Norman Family of Toeni
Gautier Giffard, and finally the standard was borne on that Chap. i.
fateful day by Turstin fitz Rollo le Blanc.
Of Ralph in England we have no facts recorded, except
the possession of lands in Flamsteed' (co. Herts.), Alton"" in ' Gall. Christ.
Worcestershire, Caldecote ° in Norfolk, and elsewhere, and Dugd., Mon.
his occurrence as witness in several charters". At the time ed"f504A"
of the Domesday Survey (1086) he owned about thirty-seven ■» ord.Vit.v.
manors in Norfolk, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Hertford- •^^°^^^'^' '"• ^2'
shire and Berkshire. But in fact he was throughout his life " ibid. ii. 40,
Norman and not English, both in his tastes and abode, and '";/!' ...'^
° ' " Ibid. 111. 262,
joined freely in the internecine quarrels of the barons of 296, 348-50,
Normandy after the Conquest", of which the best known '"■ ^^"
is the Guerre des Belles Dames, see below. He also joined
in the revolt of Robert the son of the Conqueror in 1078,
and though he was subsequently restored to favour, this may
account for the small number of manors which he held in
1087, compared with the vast estates of his brother Robert.
On March 24 p, probably Tioi, he died, and was buried, as p ibid.ii. 405,
was natural, in the abbey at Conches. c . iv. i 3.
His wife was Elizabeth (latinized as Isabella by Ordericus
Vitalis '') daughter of Simon de Montfort I'Amauri. The way ' Also in a
, . , , ,.,-,, , 1 deed of Ralph
in which she was obtained illustrates the rough manners in Dugd. Men.
of the time. Ralph carried off by night Agnes his uterine Eiizlbeth^on'ce
sister (daughter of Richard 3rd count of Evreux and of '" o^'d- "• 403.
Godehildis, in this connexion also called Adela"", Helene' >• Prevost in
and even JolandeM, widow of Roger i de Toeni) and gave 404 »; Mas
her to Simon as his third wife, receiving in exchange the \'^^]'^' ^'
daughter of the said Simon by a former wife, Elizabeth de « Anseime ii.
Broyes dame de Nogent. It was the high spirit, levity and ^''^' ^
audacity of Elizabeth when matched in quarrel with the Add. 18039,
clever but cruel and grasping nature of Helvisa countess '° '
of Evreux (wife of William 4th count, and daughter of
William count of Nevers) which in 1090 precipitated
Evreux, Conches and the whole neighbourhood into fierce
conflict, and gave the struggle the name of ' La Guerre des „ ;;; ^^^ .
Belles Dames.' Elizabeth is described by Ordericus Vitalis" Gardin,
Conches, p.
in lively terms, as if she were a very Camilla or Amazon, 16.
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Chap. I. a beldam indeed, marching to war in full armour and with
more than a soldier's ardour. ' Both women,' says Orderic,
' were loquacious, high-spirited and of graceful figure : both
ruled their husbands and lorded it over their inferiors,
whom they found various means of terrifying.' The crisis
came in November when Conches was regularly besieged,
but not till after three years of desultory warfare, ending
in the victory of the Toenis, did the two families come to
an agreement— to the effect that the Count of Evreux and
his nephew Guillermus de Breteuil should make Roger
son of Ralph de Toeni their heir. But the death of Roger
J Ord. vit. on May 15, 1093 '—about which the chronicler tells a touch-
See below'. ing story— frustrated this happily-conceived arrangement.
Finally Elizabeth after years of widowhood took the veil
at the priory of Haute Bruyere near iVIontfort TAmauri,
ending her wild life in the peace of a cloister.
Their children were : —
Roger ii de Toeni, who died unmarried in 1093, see above : he occurs
" Ord. Vit. ii. as consenting to his father's gifts to the abbey of St. Evroul ".
Ralph iii de Toeni : see below.
Duchesne, Godehildis^, who married i. Robert de Neuburgh, and 2. Baldwin, son
403
Hist. Norm.
Scriptt. 1091 :
continuator of
Jum. viii. 41.
of Eustace Count of Boulogne.
This appears to be the best place for briefly showing the
continuance of the male line of the Toenis until its extinction
early in the fourteenth century : see also the pedigree at the
end of this volume.
Ralph iii de Toeni or de Conchis (juvenis).
Of this Ralph we know nothing during his father's lifetime, but on
succeeding to his father's place in iio^ he at once comes to the front.
» The young Roger had heard Baldwin, afterwards King of Jerusalem, describing
a dream in which he saw our Lord hanging on the Cross and bestowing on him
a benediction ; and turned to his mother, saying, ' I know a man, and he is not far
off, who has seen a similar vision.' On being questioned about this, the youth
blushed and would not say what he meant, till at last, overcome by his mo"ther's
entreaties, he replied, ' Some one I know lately saw the Lord Jesus in a vision,
placing His hands on his head in blessing, and saying, " Come quickly, My beloved,
to Me, and I will give thee the pleasures of life." Sure I am that one so summoned
by God will not remain long in this life.' The same year the youth took to
his bed, and shortly after died.
The Norman Family of Toeni
404.
■1 Bodl.
MS.
Dodsw.
. XXX
112.
" Trigg Mine
i. 64-6.
cf.
In 1103 he is found raiding part of Normandy y, and in the same year he Chap. I.
crosses to England and marries Judith^, alias Adeliza*, alias Alicia'',
daughter of Waltheof earl of Huntingdon and of Judith — which last was ^ P'"^' ^''' '^'
a daugliter of a half-sister of William the Conqueror. After a career of ' , ' '^''
perhaps dubious fidelity to the King of England (he is more than once ^j-j y.
suspected, but there is no proof of actual defection), Ralph died in 1125 a Ord Vit iv
or 1126'^. Besides Roger iii de Toeni (see below), Ralph's children were 198.
Hugh, who died in his father's lifetime and was buried in Holy Trinity t Dugd. Mon.
church in London'', Simon'' and Isabella'"'. Maclean « adds a Ralph, v- 152, cf.
and a Margaret who married Walter son of Richard fitz Pons from whom ^^ '
descended the long line of De Cliffords. ' ^'"^- '^''- ''•
Roger iii de Toeni or de Conchis.
Of Roger who succeeded his father in 1125 or 1126 we hear little,
except in connexion with petty warfare in Normandy. Twice at least
he was imprisoned there, but at the last date at which he is mentioned, Clifford's Coll.
Sept. 1138, he is reconciled to King Stephen f. His death is stated to Cliff 124, &c.
have been in 1165S. He married Gertrude'' or Ida' daughter of ' ^'■'^- ^''- ^■
Baldwin count of Hainault. Their children were Ralph iv de Toeni, g
see below; Roger; Baldwin who lived in Hainault and died in 1170; above ^''"' ^^
and Geoffrey a clerk. ^ Chron
Ralph iv de Toeni. Hannon. by
^ Gislebertus
Ralph was founder of Westacre abbey in Norfolk, and married '^'^ Monte, in
Margaret de Beaumont : their children were Roger iv de Toeni, see ge^^' j^°"f'
below ; Richard a clerk who died in 1252, and possibly others. Scrlptt. xxi.
506, &c.
Roger iv de Toeni. ' Paris, Bibl.
Nat. MS. St.
Married Petronilla de Lacy, who subsequently wedded William de Germ. 577;
St. Omer. Roger died on a voyage to the Holy Land at about ^^"^'^■ ^^'^■
Michaelmas 1239, and was succeeded by his son Roger. C^j „gg '
Roger V de Toeni.
He married at about the time of his succession Alice de Bohun or
according to some authorities Constance de Beaumont (by whom he had
a son Ralph), and secondly Isabella. Roger was taken prisoner at the
battle of Lewes in 1263 and died in 1277.
Ralph V de Toeni.
Born in about 1255, he married Clarissa, by whom he had only two
children Robert and Alice. Ralph died in Gascony in 1294 or 1295.
Robert de Toeni.
This Robert was the last in the male line of the great family of Toeni.
His wife was Matilda daughter of Malice Earl of Strathearn, but they
had no children. In the long and authentic description of the siege
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. I. of Caerlaverock in July 1300, preserved in a French poem J, Robert is
. mentioned more than once, in passages of considerable interest. In one
Ms"coUon his arms are mentioned :-
Calig. A.xviii, Blanche cote e blanches alectes,
Nic'oratciLsj Escu blanc, e banier blanche,
and Wright Portoit, o la vermeille manche,
(1864). Robers de Tony, ki bien signe
' see below. Ke il est du Chevaler au Cigne ^.
This gives the Toeni arms as Argent a maunche gules, as the abbey of
' Journ. of Conches bore them and as they occur in Markland church ' and else-
Archaeol.^ where ™. It also makes the curious statement that Robert was descended
266_ ' ' ' from the Knight of the Swan, an honour claimed as late as the sixteenth
m Rolls of century by William Copeland " the printer for his patron the Duke of
Arms, c. Buckingham, whose family had before then assumed the White Swan as
1240-45, a badge. The Romance of the Knight of the Swan is French (see
c! 1295 v^two). "^^ edition by Reiftenberg (1848), and the Histoire litte'raire de la France
„ English ^^"' 351). and the Knight himself is Helias, whose daughter Ida marries
version of the Eustace count of Boulogne and is mother of Godfrey of Boulogne, the
Romance hero of the first Crusade. But the real connexion is in all probability
him dedica- ^°^ through the marriage of Godehildis with the son of Eustace (see p. 12),
lion. The which would put lineal descent out of the question, but through Robert's
claim would grandmother, who was a Bohun : and the two families who are said to
the line of have claimed a similar descent are the Bohuns (through Maud daughter
Stafford. For of GeoflVey Fitz-Piers Earl of Essex) and the Beauchamps, according
vI'h^^™" to Sir N. H. Nicolas (Siege of Caerlaverock, 1828, p. 369), quoted in the
GenLMag. Duchess of Cleveland's edition of the Battle Abbey Roll (1889) iii. 173.
N.S. xviii The latter family probably claimed the Swan badge through Robert's
(1842. iij sister.
^ ^ °' The second passage is : —
Ceus ki estoient sur le mur
° see below. Robert de Tony mult grevoit ».
Robert was in the retinue of John de St. John, and was attached to the
person of the King's son, afterwards Edward ii. He was summoned to
Parliament as Baron de Tony from 1299 till his death in 1310.
Alice de Toeni, sister of Robert, was born in 1283 or 1284, and
married three times, first Thomas de Leybourne, secondly in about
1311 Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, and thirdly (after 1315)
Wiiliam La Zouche of Mortimer.
So ended the male line of Toeni. Pedigrees of some authority will be
found in Duchesne's Hist. Norm. Scriptores (1619), p. 1091 (to Roger ii) ;
' White surcoat and white alettes, white shield and white banner, with a red
maunche (sleeve) bore Robert de Tony, who well shows that he is (descended)
from the Knight of the Swan. (Nicolas p. 42, Wright p. 18.)
" Them who were on the wall Robert de Tony harassed much. (Nicolas p. 74,
Wright p. 30.)
The Norman Family of Toeni
15
Maclean's Trigg Minor i (1873), 64-6; Bodl. MS. yVshm. 1107, fol. 207
see also Dugdale's Baronage, and Brit. Mus. iMSS. Lansd. 863, fol. 77^
Add. 5937, fol. 135^; Bodl.^MSS. Rawl. B. 83. fol. 49; 313, foil. 38, 39^
Dodsw. iv. 21, 22, cf. 49; Hoare's Modern Wilts, Cavvden (1835), p. 5.
The line from Ralph i to Roger ii can be proved from a long charter of
Henry i to the abbey of Conches (of about a.d. 1130) printed in full in
Gallia Christiana xi. instrr. 128-33. The name is still preserved in
Saham Tony in Norfolk and in Newton Tony and Stratford Tony
in Wilts. The above account of the Tony family since the Conquest,
being only subsidiary to the main purpose of this book, is not put
forward as proved, but only as representing the dates and facts found in
ordinary books of reference.
The Todeni Family.
Of the Todeni family of Belvoir? it is difficult to trace the early p See Dugd.
history. There was undoubtedly a Robert de Todeni who came over pJ^^P^dV .
from Normandy at the Conquest, built Belvoir Castle and founded q^^.^\^ „ g
a Priory near it, where he was buried in 1088. Todeni is certainly
a possible by-form of Toeni, as we find Totteneium in the eleventh
century and Todiniacum in the twelfth, as Latin names of that place.
On the other hand no proof has been found of any connexion between
the Toeni and Todeni families, and the personal names are not strikingly
similar, as will be seen if we carry the line on for a generation or two.
Robert married Adela, and their children were William de Albini,
who succeeded his father ; Berengar (who may be the Berengarius
de Thoneio of Blore's Rutland p. 99 1, but the short form, omitting d,
has not been found elsewhere'); Geoffrey; Robert; and Agnes, who
married Hubert de Rye. WiUiam de Albini married Maude de St. Liz,
daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon, had issue William and Ralph, and
died in 1155. It may be noted that the Latin name of Totnes is
Toteneium and Totcncsium.
1 = Du^d.
Mon. ill. 551
(before A. d.
Dugd. Mon.
!'• 547-9 ;
Sodl. MS.
Dodsw. vii.
137'.
CHAPTER II
ROBERT DE STAFFORD AND NIGEL DE STAFFORD
As has been already mentioned, the estates held in
England at the time of Domesday (1086) by Ralph de
Toeni were far exceeded by the broad acres of his younger
brother Robert de Stafford, who must have stood high in
the favour of the Conqueror, although we have no record
of actual services at the Conquest. In StaiTordshire he
owned 81 manors, in Warwickshire 26, in Lincolnshire
20 and 4 in other counties, 131 in all. He is not however
recorded as holding a manor in Stafford itself, although
• Baronage i. he owned 54 manses there, but Dugdale* explains this by
'^ ■ the fact that Stafford castle, of which he may very probably
have been governor, was demolished before 1086, and the
new one had not yet been built. The ground and sur-
roundings of the old castle were held in 1086 by Henry
de Ferrers.
Of Robert we have certain authentic details. That his
surname was de Stafford and that he was a younger brother
of Ralph ii de Toeni (he is actually called Robertus de
•-Dugd. Mon. Toenio by his grandson'') are absolutely certain from the
VI. 994- long charter already mentioned (see p. 15), in Gallia
Christiana xi. instrr. 128-33. He must have been born not
« Dugd. Mon. later than about 1041, and married Avice" daughter of the
160!^'''^^'"'' Earl of Clare, who probably survived him. All the other
notices about him are in connexion with religious houses.
Robert de Stafford
I Gall. Christ.
He was a benefactor to Conches'': he founded or re-founded
the Priory of Regular Canons at Stone" in Staffordshire,
and granted lands to Evesham Abbey *■ and Bordesley
Abbeys. The gift to Evesham was the manor of Wrottesley de^i'Elire'H!.'^
in Staffordshire, and the deed is dated 1072 : but the ^s'-
abbot only became mesne tenant, since alienation of a manor vi. 2^5^
held in capite was impossible, and so in the Domesday Book ' Salt Soc. ii.
(1086) Wrottesley is recorded as still in Robert de Stafford's 'f. Dugd. ^'
hands. There is also a second deed dated 1088, when Robert, ^°"- "■ '^■
now infirm and near his death, had become a monk at v. 408.'
Evesham and ' pro penitentia,' at the instigation of the Bishop
of Chester, 'monachus factus in infirmitate mea in eodem
monasterio,' gave to the abbey not Wrottesley only but land
in Loynton. It may be presumed that the donor died there
in 1088 or 1089. A rhyming chronicle or table which used
to hang in the Priory of Stone testified '' that both Robert h Dugd. Mon.
de Stafford and his wife were buried at Stone : but the deed H'-^^l^f \;l'^\^
of 1088 proves that at that date both husband and wife authority.
intended Evesham to be their place of sepulture.
Their issue was, Nicholas the eldest, and according to all
previous accounts the only, son : but there is some reason
for believing them to have had a younger son named Nigel
de Stafford, see p. 18. The male line however of Nicholas's
descendants died out after a few generations, for Nicholas,
who married Maude Moolte daughter of the Earl of Chester,
had an only son Robert (who married Avice and died in
about 1176): and Robert left only three children, Robert
and Nicholas who died without issue, the former in about
1193; and a daughter Millicent, who married Hervey Bagot:
and the line of Barons and Earls of Stafford (from 1444 to
1521 also Dukes of Buckingham) is derived through this
female heiress by a very chequered descent, having suffered
three forfeitures and at least as many extinctions.
It may be mentioned here that Dugdale in his Baronage
(i. 258, cf. 266-7) represents Walkeline de Ferrers, younger
brother of the Robert de Ferrers who died in 1247, as
marrying ' Goda filia Roberti de Toeni.' Walkeline occurs
c
i8 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. II. between 1166 and 1189, but Dugdale offers no proof of such
a marriage, and I cannot understand who Robert or Goda
was, if the entry be correct. Neither occurs in the Placita
apud Westm. T. Pasch. 13 H. 3, rot. 13 (the second roll
bearing that reference : now Curia Regis Roll 102) which
bears on Walkeline's descendants and mentions his name.
Nigel de Stafford.
{b. about 1040: d. abt. 1115?)
Nigel de Stafford is the great crux of the Gresley pedigree.
< e.g. Dugd. All previous investigators' have regarded him as a younger
Eyton"; stlfff ' brother of Ralph ii de Toeni and of Robert de Stafford, and
p- 51- a son of Roger i de Toeni and of Godehildis. There is
no evidence whatever of this, and chronological probabih-
ties are against it, for, if we assume the above relationships
we find that, according to inferences of high probability,
while Nigel was born not later than about 1041, two of his
sons, William and Nicholas, are alive in 1165. Another
objection is that it would be almost unparalleled, if two land-
owners and founders of families were given at about the
same time the same territorial name. But the true aspect of
the question will be best seen, if the few ascertained facts
about Nigel de Stafford are clearly set forth.
1. The primary fact about him is his estates at the time
of the Domesday Survey (1086). ' Nigellus de Statford '
held in Derbyshire nine manors and two sokes (see App. B),
and 'Nigellus' held two more manors. In Staffordshire
'Nigellus' has thirteen holdings, in Leicestershire four
holdings, in Warwickshire one holding : and there is good
reason for assuming the identity of ' Nigellus ' above with
Nigel de Statford or Stafford, for the Derbyshire and
Leicestershire holdings form (roughly speaking) a group
in a district within about six miles of Burton-on-Trent
to the W., S.W\ and S., and out of the thirty-one holdings
no less than twelve are subsequently found in the hands
of the Gresle^'s.
2. Nigel de Stafford and Elsioiv. In a charter of Henry i
Nigel dc Stafford 19
(1124-35)-' there is a confirmation of gifts to the nunnery of Chap. ii.
Elstow in Bedfordshire (which had been founded in about j g ^
A. D. 1078 bv Judith widow of Waltheof Earl of Huntingdon), Wigram's
' ■' •' <^ Elstow
and the sixth grant (the entries appear to be roughly in (1885),?. 158.
chronological order) is one by Nigel de Stafford of loi
virgates of land in Erendesby (Arnesby) in Leicestershire :
and there are other mentions of the same gift"". Among ^ iwd.
the other benefactors are the foundress and the Coun- ^^' ^''' ^ '
tess Matilda. Now both the latter were connected with
the Toenis, Judith's daughter Judith or Adeliza having
married Ralph iii de Toeni, Nigel's first cousin (if not
nephew), see p. 13 : while Matilda was the foundress's
daughter. In Domesday the landowners in Arnesby are the
mysterious William Peverel and the Bishop of Coutances,
and the Testa de Nevill ' shows that in 1272 the village was ' ibid. p. loi.
still of the fee of Peverel and was then granted to Hugh
de Beauchamp (whose ancestor" held land there in 1201), ^ Pipe Roil
who also gave loj virgates of land there to Elstow. In ^ "'
1279° Arnesby is of two fees, Peverel and Ferrers, Hugh's " Nichols,
grant belonging to the former, and Nigel's to the latter. But g-'io.'"' ''
the materials for a clear historj? of the place are not at present
available. We incidentally find in this charter a proof that
Nigel was married and had a daughter, for he gives the land
to the nunnery ' cum filia sua,' implying either that she was
a nun there or at least that she was educated there.
3. Nigel dc Stafford mid St. Albaiis abbey. In a list of
benefactors to the great Abbey of St. Alban's we find a
record" that Nigel de Stafford gave the church of Norton, <> Dngd.Mon.
and one carucate of land and a tithe of his lordship in the xxvil^L 447^
same vill : and the Countess Judith again appears as a
benefactor in the same list with Nigel. This Norton was
undoubtedly Norton juxta Twycross, which Nigel held
under Henry de Ferrers at the time of Domesday (see App. B).
The proof of this is found in a charter p of Richard Earl of >' information
Chester {d. 1120) confirming this grant in terms which Ru^nd, Esq.
identify the place. It may be noted also that the Belvoir
ChartularyP contains a final concord of 1224 about the
c 2
The Gresleys of Drakclozvc
1 Montacute
Chartulary
(pr. by the
Somerset
Arch. Soc),
p. 1 66,
charter 130.
advowson of Norton which proves that Geoffrey de Gresley,
then alive, was the heir of Nigel de Stafford — an important
corroboration of the connexion between the Greslej's and
Staffords.
4. Mr. J. H. Round has found in an unpublished list of
'barones,' probably of 1086, a mention of Nigellus de Torp,
whom he identifies without hesitation as Nigel de Stafford.
It is worth mentioning also that in an undated deed' of
about 1 150, a grant by Gunfredus de Warmewell to the
monks of Holne priory in Dorset, among the witnesses is
' Neel de Stafford,' of whom I know nothing more.
The above may be said to represent all thufacis which we
at present know about the Nigel de Stafford of Domesday:
what remains is more or less probable conjecture. We can
only say that it is very improbable that Nigel had no connexion
with Robert de Stafford, and that if he was a son of the latter,
all the facts we know about him fall into their places. The
rather rare name Nicholas, it may be noticed, occurs in both
Nigel's and Robert's families. It has been suggested that
Nigel may have been the ' miles' of Henry de Ferrers who
held Stafford Castle in 1086, and thence derived his surname;
but this is at present only conjecture. With respect to
Nigel's descendants we are on safe ground: for we may
with practical certainty identify two sets of three persons,
father, son and grandson, namely the Gresley hne, Nigel
de Stafford —William de Gresley— Robert de Gresley, and
the Ferrers tenants, Nigel— William fitz Nigel — Robert
fitz William. Nigel may have lived till about 1115: see
p. 33, note™. In one case it appears that Nigel de Stafford
is called, after his death, Nigel de Gresley, namely in the
Pipe Rolls referred to on pp. 28, 33. If this be so, it is
a further proof, if proof were still needed, of the descent
of the Gresleys from Nigel de Stafford.
The evidence so far brings before us a man possessing
considerable property in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and
Leicestershire, partly as lord, partly as tenant of Henry de
Ferrers, Richard Forestarius, the Bishop of Chester and
The Devil of Drakeloive
Ralph fitz-Hubert. Of Robert de Stafford, who holds still Chap. ii.
larger estates near to Nigel, chiefly in Staffordshire, he is
in no case a tenant i'. No other Nigel occurs in the Domes- i- See how-
day record of the three counties, and a considerable number loc^i.^o
of the holdings reappear in the hands of the Gresley family g^'^'^'j^™'"'''
a generation or two later, the first Gresley being confessedly
a fitz-Nigel.
The name of Nigel's wife is not known, even traditionally.
His children were: —
1. William fitz-Nigel de Gresley, see p. 24.
2. Nicholas fitz-Nigel de Gresley, who married Margaret, see below.
Before 1149 he founded the Priory of Black or Austin canons at Calwich "■ ■■ Dugd. Moi
in the parish of Ellastone in Staffordshire : and before 1167 Kenilworth ^^- ■^"'^' ^'•
Abbey received ■■ that Priory and its lands 'ex dono Nicholai filii Nigelli
et Margaretse uxoris suse ' : Margaret is known to have been the ward ^ ' Dugd.
of Geoffrey de Clinton the founder of Kenilworth abbey. Margaret also
gave the church of Longford * as of her own patrimony to Kenilworth t p ^ ^ ^^^^
('Margareta uxor Nicholai filii Nigelli'), and confirmed it by a formal vi. 224.'
deed because ' Dominus meus Nicholas' her husband had disturbed the
monks in their possession of it : and finally her husband ' Nicholaus
de Greseleia'' with the consent of his brother William and his wife
Margaret and for the soul of his father Nigel confirmed his wife's grant.
Nicholas must have died soon after, for we find his widow with a son
William in a deed" of about 1160-70 (Eyton thinks 1166). Another son " Tutbury
Simon occurs as a witness in a deed already quoted'. The further S.^'^'"'p'"|
succession will be found in the pedigree of Staflbrd. This branch of Camb. libr.,
the Stafford line soon abandoned the name of de Gresley and assumed charter 250,
that of de Longford ^, Longford having come to Nicholas through his P- 99-
wife Margaret de Bubendon (an old name of part of Longford). Nicholas ' Derb.
had a daughter Felicia " who married Rogerus Duredent. Chetham Soc.
3. A daughter, a nun (?) at Elstow, see above. xhi. ns.Bodl.
■^ ^ ^ ' MS. Dodsw.
Warw. 2nd
239-
IXXXl
The Devil of Drakelowe. l^^w^.
One single narrative, part legendary, part historical, has 43'-
preserved some notice of Drakelowe in the years im-
mediately following the Great Survey. Dugdale in his
Monasticon Anglicanum "^ quotes the Chronica Abbatum ^ ej ^\y^^^
de Burton (a sixteenth-century MS.?), which testifies to BodV'Ms.
a common saying 'The Devill of Drakelowe,' and states Dugd. F. i,
that it arose from a story of two Stapenhill rustics who fled
from the abbot of Burton to Roger the Poitevin, and for
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. II. their faithlessness brought down the vengeance of Mod-
wenna the patron saint of Burton Abbey. The Chronicle
also states that this was during the abbacy of Galfridus
de Mala Terra, who was abbot in 1085-94, so that in all
probability the miracle or ghost story belongs to about
1090-94, when Drakelowe was held by Roger for the second
» see pp. 32- timey. The only surviving narrative of the event is the
^' Tractatus de Miraculis which follows the Life of St. Mod-
» Brit. Miis. wenna "^ written by Gaufridus who was abbot of Burton from
i5Biv°''foi. 1 1 14-51 ^nd may well have been a contemporary witness.
^T- The Life of the same saint by Concubranus, which has been
» Acta Sane- printed % has no mention of it, nor the brief printed Annals
torumjuly.ii. ^f Burton.
The tractate states that two villeins who lived at
Stapenhill under the jurisdiction of the abbot of Burton fled
'ad uillam proximam que Drachelawa dicitur, relinquentes
inique dominos suos monachos et manere cupientes sub
potestate Rogerii Comitis qui Pictauensis cognominabatur.'
The abbey officers promptly seized the corn which was to
have been given out to the delinquents, who meanwhile told
the Count so mendacious a story, as the chronicle says, that
he threatened the abbot, seized all the corn at Stapenhill,
and sent soldiers to the abbey lands at Blakepol, who
challenged the abbot's ten soldiers to fight. The abbot
rushed to St. Modwenna's shrine, while his ten retainers,
against orders, sallied forth and fought sixty of the count's
followers including the 'dapifer Comitis,' with varying
results. The day after the two refugees were seized with
illness, died, and were buried the next morning at Stapenhill
in wooden coffins (archae ligneae). Then followed a terrible
scene. That same evening before sunset the figures of these
two were seen bearing their coffins in fantastic fashion on
their shoulders and rushing about the paths and fields at
Drakelowe, assuming the appearance of bears or hounds or
other animals. This continued all night, and the position
became intolerable when these creatures began to bang their
coffins against the walls of the houses, crying, ' Forward,
The Devil of Drakelowe 23
forward with haste, bestir yourselves and come.' Every
evening and every night this happened, till, to cap everything,
an epidemic seized the place and nearly everybody died,
except two rustics and Drogo the Count's bailiff. The
Count went in penitence to the abbot, and made full
restitution, but the Saint was not so easily pacified as her
Abbot. The two rustics themselves fell ill, and some
neighbours, still in deadly fright of the nocturnal visitants,
exhumed the bodies of the two original refugees, bore off
their hearts ' ad collem qui Dodefreseford nuncupatur,' and
burnt them there. Just when this was completed an evil
spirit in the shape of a flying crow was seen to emerge from
the flames. This was no doubt the Devil of Drakelowe, and
his appearance sent every one into ecstasies of fright. Even
the two rustics, as soon as they saw the smoke of the fire,
suddenly found themselves quite well enough to rise from
their sick beds and flee with wives and children, bag and
baggage, ' ad uillam proximam que Greseleia dicitur.' Thus
was Drakelowe utterly depopulated, and remained so for
a long time, such fear was there of the wrath of St. Modwenna
and such wonder at the miracles wrought for her sake.
So runs the legend, and we can see through it with some
certitude a quarrel between Roger the Poitevin and the
Abbot of Burton, an encounter between their retainers, and
an epidemic disease which shortly after depopulated Drake-
lowe and caused a migration of rich and poor to Gresley —
a circumstance which probably caused the name of Gresley
instead of Drakelowe to be attached to the family commemo-
rated in the present volume. We seem to recover old place-
names in Blakepol and Dodefreseford Hill : but they cannot
at present be identified.
An article on ' S. IVIodwen and "The Devill of Drakelow'"
will be found in the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural
History Society s Journal, vol. xvii. (1895), p. 49 : and one on
the excavation of an Anglo-Saxon (pagan) cemetery at
Stapenhill in the Burton-on-Trent Natural History and
Archaeological Society's Transactions, vol. i. (1889), p. 156.
CHAPTER III
THE EARLY GRESLEYS
The century and a half after the Domesday Survey of 1086
is the darkest of all the bj'ways which the genealogist has to
tread. The first kind of public document which he finds to
hand after losing the light of the Survey is the series of
Pipe Rolls, the earliest of which is perhaps of the year
1 129-30 : but the interval of forty years and much of the
succeeding century are only to be studied in monastic charters
or chronicles of the time. It must not be wondered at,
therefore, if the first few Gresleys are shadowy personages,
the dates of whose birth and death are unrecorded and of
whom no personal traits are preserved. It will therefore be
well in these early pages to give the precise name or title
which occurs in a document quoted, whether ' de Greseleia,'
' fitz Nigel ' or the like : so that, when the writer has to
assume for the time the identity of a 'de Gresley' with
a ' fitz Nigel,' it will be at once recognized by the reader as
an assumption, until such time as the accumulation of
evidence translates it into a fact.
William fitz Nigel de Gresley.
(occ. 1 129, d. 1 166?)
The earliest Gresley bore the name of William. No
account whatever has come down to us of the reason for his
assumption of that surname, although we have seen that
it was perhaps naturally due to the depopulation of
Drakelowe, and the migration of its inhabitants to Gresley.
The village itself (now divided into Church Gresley
William fitz Nigel de Gresley (i) 25
and Castle Gresley, both in Derbyshire) is about four Chap, hi.
miles S.E. of Burton-on-Trent and three miles E.S.E. of
Drakelowe, about halfway between Swadlincote and Linton,
two neighbouring manors of Nigel de Stafford mentioned
in Domesday. It may be noted that the Greasley in Notting-
hamshire is about twenty-two miles N.E. of Burton and is
throughout this book distinguished by the a in its first
syllable.
Almost the only definite dated fact about William de
Gresley is the following entry in the earliest Pipe Roll (1129-
30) under Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, ' Willelmus de
Griseleia reddit compotum de x marcis argenti pro conuen-
tione de terra inter eum & Radulphum Barret. In thesauro xl s
et debet vij marcas argenti.' Nothing more is known of this
transaction, which may relate to land in Kingsley, but Barret
is undoubtedly an error for, or phonetic variety of, Basset.
There is however an earlier mention of him, in a Leicester-
shire survey, recently discovered by Mr. J. H. Round* in » Feudal Eng-
the Public Record Office, and dated by him as between '^"d- ?• =°°-
1 124 and 1 129, 'Hundred de Dichesword. In Widesers iij
carucatae Willelmi de Greseleia. Idem in Lintona j carucata.'
Both these were held by Nigel de Stafford in 1086.
William also appears as a witness to several deeds, as
(i) to the foundation deed*" of Trentham abbey by Ralph de '' Dugd. iwon.,
Gernon Earl of Chester, between 1142 and 1154 executed 39,. '^'^'"
'apud Greselegam' ('Willielmus de Gresele'): (2) to the
deed of gift" from Enisanus and Ernaldus to Kenilworth 0 ibid. vi. 232.
abbey of the church of Stane (' Willielmus de Greseleia ') :
(3) to a notification* of a sale by Ralph de Seile, in about <« Gres. Ch.3:
1 166 (' Willelmus de Gresele '). p.^'e; ^''"''"'•
Willelmus de Gresele also confirmed " to Robert fitz = Gres.
Abraham twelve acres of ground which Robert's father held p.'is!" '
of William's father 'in villa de Gresele.' Among the
witnesses to this is Reginald prior of Gresley. This is
important for if William de Gresley be proved to be the son
of Nigel de Stafford, this deed proves that the latter held
land in Gresley itself.
Charti
p. 36.
26 The Grcslcys of Drakclowc
Chap. III. A ' Willielmus de Greilli' is witness to a deed of
Ralph de Gernon Earl of Chester {d. 1153) giving land to
St. Werburgh's at Chester : the deed was dated ' apud
Greselegam,' and is printed in Dugd. Mon. ii. 388 (ed. Ellis).
The spelling ' Greilli ' is a solitary instance of confusion
between the families of Grelly and Gresley at this early
date.
So far we have found William de Gresley as a landowner
in Gresley and living at least in 1129 and 1142: we must
now connect him with the Ferrers tenant William fitz Nigel.
' Brit. Mus. This can be done by means of a deed ' of June 6, 1325, in
667i.fo1!^35: which Geoffrey de Gresley describes himself as 'filz et heir
monsieur Pieres de Greseleie et cousin et heir Willame
fiz Nel de Greseleie foundour de la Priore de Seont Jorge de
Greseleie,' and grants to the priory certain privileges. Now
Geoffrey here asserts in the presence of the prior and
convent that the founder of Gresley priory was William fitz
Nigel (Neel) de Gresley «. It is impossible that he could
have stated this had it been false, or that the convent did
not know who their own founder was : so we may assume
that William de Gresley was a son of Nigel. Nigel de
Stafford is the person to whom all these converging pre-
sumptions point, so that on the whole we may feel secure
in affirming that the relationship of Nigel de Stafford and
William fitz Nigel de Gresley was that of father and son.
It is usually stated that William de Gresley also founded
the Castle of Greslej', of which the old central earthwork
in the shape of a mound still exists, but though this is
probable no distinct mention of a castle is found till 1268
when a mill in Castle Gresley "^ (molendinum de Castro
Gresel') is mentioned: in 1300-1 land in 'Castel Gresley''
is also recorded.
Now that we know that William de Gresley was William
fitz Nigel, we may identify him without any doubt with
the witness of those names in the deed^ by which Robert
Earl of Ferrers founded Merevale abbey in 1 148-9. It is
practically certain also that he is referred to in the important
William fitz Nigel de Gresley (i) 27
statement which is found in the Liber Niger Scaccarii'^, that Chap. hi.
Wilham fitz Nigel held four knight's fees of the Earl of ^ r "^pi^.
Ferrers, and that Robert his son then held them. William i. 336 (ad.
I 160-66), cf.
fitz Nigel (de Gresley) is witness in 1150-52 to a deed' of j.h Round's
Walter Bp. of Coventry : but probably died not later than j.^^^,^ p_ ^^^
1 166, as his son held his father's knight's fees in that ' SaitSoc.iii.
I. 183-4.
year. m i„ about
William's wife is traditionally stated to have borne the ^^-3°^"'^'^
name of Elena, but there is no proof of this, and the earliest Woiferstan
mention of the name at present found is the pedigree entitled so''c.'iv.'i'.''
' Greseleiorum stemma antiquissima ' [sic), composed in 1583. ^°^- ^^^
Their issue was : — stair, pp. 53,
80-1. 87 9:
1. Robert, see p. 29. 'lie Stone
Chartulary
2. Engenulph de Gresley, who is directly stated to be Robert's and
brother in an exchange deed ■" between the two. He made an important Harwood's
marriage by weddmg AHna, daughter" and heiress of Robert fitz-Orm gj^jj- ^^'g j^.
(or de Buckenhall") and Mabiha de Perpunt, which Robert was son of accurate. See
Orm le Guidon de Derlaveston. who married a daughter of Nicholaus also Ward's
the Domesday sherifTof Staffordshire. This brought Darlaston into the Xi-enfApp.
family, and also land in and near Tunstall p. Alina, also found as Edelina, p. Ivi, cf. p.
Alicia and Elena, survived her husband 1, but he was alive in about 1166 54°-
when he occurs as holding 5 of a knight's fee under Robert de Stafford \^^^ g '
grandson of the Robert of Domesday. Engenulph had only one son, p. 227.
Robert de Gresley, who died without issue after 1204 (see p. 30) ; and '■ Plac. de
his two daughters Dionysia and Petronilla became his heirs. It is ^"° \{^'^'^',,
nearly certain that he had a third daughter Hawisia, but it appears to be stoke, App.
just possible that she was Robert's wife and daughter of 'Havvisius' p. iii.
or Hugh de Burstal, for (i) she is never called, as Dionysia and ^ B"t. Mus.
Petronilla often are, daughter of Engenulph, and (2) in no other way y^^' "^'°"
can I explain the deed of John de Evington found on p. 7 of the Gresley fol. 5.
Chartulary, by which he gives to Hawisia formerly wife of Robert >• Fines ii. 31:
de Gresley land in Thurmaston near Leicester near a pond of Havvisius ^^- Salt Soc.
de Burstale her father (called Hugo de Burstale in a pedigree on the , c ',. », ' .
same page of the Chartulary). If this be true, Robert must have died j. .j_,o.
before 1208, for before November in that year she married Henry ' Salt Soc. v.
de Verdun ''. Of Dionysia, lady of Darlaston (as of Petronilla her sister) i- 13 : Gresl.
there are several deeds extant', and, probably after 1208'', she married ^ s^lt"s^' '
Stephen de Wiverston ', and was alive in 1227" with a son Henry. j. ge.
It is possible that Petronilla married as her first husband Adam » Stoke on
de Audley (Aldithele), as Ward' asserts, for in a list of Adam's son Trent 541.
Henry's lands in 1226-7^ occur Tunstall. Chaterlege, Chelle and North- " Bodl. MS.
. ■ , T- ,1 , . ■ ■,- , , ., • r Dodsw. n.67',
mancote as given hmi by Engenulph and his wife, but there is no proof jj^ v ^f_
of the marriage, and certainly in 1208' Petronilla was already married, cxii. 44'.
28
The Greslcys of Drakeloive
Chap. III. to Robert de Suggenhall, and both were alive in 15 Hen. 3" (1230-1).
John an illegitimate son of Alina is also mentioned y. For the descen-
dants of Hawisia and Dionysia, see Brit. Mus. MS. Cotton Vesp. E. 24,
fol. 15' : Petronilla probably had no children by Robert. For another
Engenulph de Gresley of this time, see below : and for an Audley pedigree
see Bodl. MS. Ashm. 1107, p. 244, from Dugdale, and note in ped. ii (p. 224).
' Bodl. MS.
Llodsw. xcvi,
fol. 32 V.
y Brit. Mus.
MS. Cotton
Vcsp. E. 24,
foil. 5, 7 ^- :
Salt See. V. I.
13, vi. I. 8, 9,
14.
^ Gresl.
Charters 2.
4-7 : Salt Soc.
iii. 2. 87:
Dcrb. Visitn.
of i6ii :
Diigd. Mon.
vi. 809=^ Rett.
Londin. p. 16,
cf. Nichols
Leic. iv. 633.
" Eyton in
Brit. Mus. MS.
Add. 31940.
li Derb.Arch.
Soc. viii. 138,
of. Feud.
Derb. i. 122.
•^ Gresl.
Chartul. pp.
15. 29-
■< Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
31940, fol.
<• Derb. Chh.
iii. 387.
' Gresl.
ters 3-7 :
Br:
Ml
Wolley
Charter x. 21,
cf. Gresl.
Chartul. p. 22.
e Endorse-
ment ol Gresl.
Charter 4.
•• Feud. Dcrb.
figured in
Jeaycs pi. i.
J Salt Soc. iv
I. 114.
■■ Gresl.
Charters ;fac
Jcayes).
3. Nigel de Gresley. Nigel and his three next brothers are proved
by their appearance as witnesses to a deed between their two elder
brothers quoted above (note ™, p. 27). The Nigel de Gresley recorded
in the Pipe Rolls of 1171, 1172, 1189 and 1202 as holding land in
the honour of Lancaster (the place is given as 'in Drakelawa' at the
last two dates) is in all probability Nigel de Staftbrd, his name being
continued long after his death : see more at p. 33.
4. Henry de Gresley ^ or de Wetmore =■ occurs in about 1177-8, in one
case as a knight •• under the Earl of Derby.
5. William may be the William de Gresley who was rector of Lul-
lington<=. He was dead in 1168 according to Eyton* and Cox «.
6. Ralph de Gresley f or de Hethres granted land in Seile, Hether
and Ravenstone, and was married. He paid scutage in 1204-5''. His
seal occurs on two deeds now at Drakelowe'. I know of no other
Ralph de Gresley who can be referred to in a Plea Roll of (probably)
33 Hen. 3 (1248-9) J. There a Margaret, who had married first Ralph
de Gresley and secondly Ralph Grim, sues William de Gresley son
of Geofirey on behalf of a son John (by Ralph) under age, about the
manor of Hethcote which Geoffrey had given to John's ancestors.
7. 8. Sisters are mentioned in a notification to the Bp. of Lincoln
of a grant'' by Ralph de Gresley 'omnium fratrum meorum &
sororum ').
Engenulph de Gresley, &c.
It may be worth while at this point to introduce some
notice of another family of Gresleys which cannot at present
be connected with the main line of the family.
In the Gresley Chartulary at p. 6 is the following pedigree.
Paganus de Gresley had a son Richard de Gresley, who had
a son Ingenulphus de Gresley (who married Letitia), and
two daughters, Agatha (married to Radulphus Grime), and
Juliana wife of Robert le Spencer (' Dispensator '). Richard
may have had two other sons Richard and Robert who
Robert dc Gresley (ii) 29
appear as witnesses to deeds of William and Robert de Chap. hi.
Gresley. The pedigree above is probably based on two
deeds at p. 27 of the Chartulary (one about land at Drake-
lowe), and Robert Dispensarius de Gresley (Priory ?) occurs
in Gresley Charter 66. The date of the last of the three
generations is clearly about a.d. 1320. Engenulph is a rare
name, but shared by both these Gresley families and by the
Ferrers, their close associates.
There is also a mysterious Reginald de Gresley connected
by marriage with the Boyleston family, of whom something
must be said. The cardinal document is a memorandum ' ' Sait Soc.
on fol. 2 of the Ridware Chartulary, which proves that ^^'=^57-8.
Thomas lord of Boyleston and of Draycote-under-Needwood
(which latter he held under the Earl of Ferrers) had a daughter
Hawisia who married firstly 'J.' (almost certainly an error
for ' R.' = Reginald) de Gresley and secondly Ralph Pecche.
By her first husband she had a son Reginald, called de
Boyleston or de Gresley, who died without children, and
by her second a son Nicholas. The first Reginald is found
in about 1162-67", and the second in 1192-94°. The follow- "> R. s. xcix.
ing references corroborate the above: — Brit. Mus. Harl. Feud 'Deri!"''
Charter in. F. 59, and Wolley Charter X. 20 and 21: i^- 288 : Gresi.
Nichols Lcic. iii. 982*, Cox Dab. Chli. iii. 15, Rott. Cur. „ e. Shirley's
Rep. i. 100, and the Liber Nipcr Scaccarii, which states that stemm Shiri
*» ^i I App. p. 8, 2ud
the first Reginald held two knight's fees of the Earl Ferrers, ed. p. 348:
Salt Soc. iii.
Robert de Gresley 11
(occ. ii66-abt. 1183.) i 263 ('rcT'
Bk. of Exch.) ;
Of this Robert nothing of importance is recorded : his Sait Soc. i.
name is found from 1166 till about 1183. At the former ?B/ack?Bk. nf
.„ „ PR.S.xcix.
Coventry in Morton, Tamhorn and Wolseley, and also '• 336.
holds four knight's feesP in the Ferrers Derbyshire fief, charter 2
as his father William Fitz-Nigel had done in the time of Lj, aSt'''
Henry i. There is also a grant to him from the abbot Soc. v r. 40),
Eyton Stall.
and convent of Burton 1 of Darlaston, not before 1167: 3i-2.
30 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Chap. III. and ati interesting deed consisting of a quit-claim' to him
Gresl.
by William Earl of Ferrers of the service of one knight to
chartui. p. 22, wit of Hcthdra and Ravenst(one), which Ralph, brother
Bodl. MS. r T-v 1 1 . 1 r , T- , , T^ , , •
Dodsw. xcvi. 01 Robert, held oi the had, so that Robert s service was
MS.^Hari.'*^"^' Tcduccd to three knights instead of four. General Wrottesley
o ^V"?!' n'V <^onsiders this to be a very unusual deed, perhaps evidencing
MS. H. 5, a quarrel between the two brothers, but may it not rather
nouake effect. ^6 a case of sub-infeudatiou ? An exchange deed between
him and his younger brother Engenulph (' Ingold ') by which
the former gave land in Swadlincote (Derb.), Kingsley and
Bredley (both Staff.) for land in Morton (Staff.) has been
• note", p. 27. mentioned^: it was produced in evidence at the Staffordshire
assizes of 127I.
There has been considerable confusion hitherto between
this Robert and his nephew Robert de Gresley son of
Engenulph. There is so little direct evidence for Enge-
nulph's son that it is worth while to go into detail. It is
seemingly certain that the Robert de Gresley of the elder
branch died in or before 1184, and that his son William
succeeded him in about that year, see p. 32. Yet it is
absolutely certain that a Robert de Gresley is found in
various deeds up to 1204. No other Robert is known
except the traditional son of Engenulph who has probably
dropped out of sight because, he having no issue, his
sisters and widow were co-heirs and inherited the property.
The point shows itself even in the Gresley Chartulary, for
the pedigree on p. 7 inserts a whole generation between
Robert son of William and his son William, namely a
Robert who married ' Havisia filia Hugonis de Burstale.'
This latter fact is no doubt based on the deed of John
♦ p. 27. de Evington mentioned above '.
We have then to distinguish between two Robert de
Gresleys. The deeds above mentioned are certainly rightly
assigned to the two respectively, and the Robert de Gresley
° Feud. Derb. who was by Writ excused a scutage in 1204-5" in the honour
' ^" of Peverell was presumably Engenulph's son, while the
Robert de Gresle}' who accounted with others for five
Robert de Grcsley (ii)
marks for the duel of the Earl of Ferrers" in 1176-7 was no Chap, hi.
doubt the other. But some ambiguous references remain "^i v peud. Derb.
and one of difficulty. In 1210=' among the ' Prestita facta '■'"■, „^
" Bodi. Mb.
[money advanced] militibus apud Grenoc occurs Robert oodsw. xcvi,
de Gresley (cs.) : this may however be a repeated record of !°|'^ foi."i34':
19, &c.
Lib. Rolls,
an unusual confusion of names the reference is to a Robert
de Grelly, see App. D. And this may account for the p ''^^■
Robertus Gresle who occurs in scutage rolls of 1220-21 ^ ' Bodi. MS.
r I <-> r 1 Dodsw. ciii,
and of 1221-22 ^ There is a curious story at fol. 98 of the p. 53.
Burton Chartulary" which conceivably relates to this Robert. 'Genealogist
One Wakelin de Winterton acquired from Ralph de Caldwell „ g^^ g^,^' ^_
his manor of Caldwell, but, as far as can be gathered from '• ^9 : Derb.
' ' ... Arch. Soc. vn.
the discoloured record, did not actually gain possession, until 143. See
by the help of ' Dominus Robertus de Greyseley,' to whom p°75^to which
Wakelin promised 40s. for his assistance, Ralph was turned Pj^|j^g||j'^
out : nevertheless Ralph was subsequently allowed by should pro-
Wakelin to be tenant of Caldwell for life. However, transferred.
Wakelin refused to pay the 40s. and Robert thereupon
killed him (' per eundem Robertum occisus est' Waclynus).
That Robert's wife's name was Basilia is certain from a
deed already mentioned*'. Their children were : — " note^.p.a?.
1. William, see p. 32.
2. Henry, who occurs as a witness (' Henricus filius Robert! de
Greseleia') to a deed'> by his father. He had a son Nicholas de Norton ^ Gresl.
to whom (as Nicholaiis filius Henrici de Gresley) the abbot of Burton Chartul. p. 15.
at some date between 1188 and 1197 granted*^ land in Withmere jure c Salt Soc. v.
hereditario, as his father held it. There is also a deedii by which i. 43-
Nicholaus de Norton filius Henrici de Gresley gives to his son Roger ^ Ibid. 45.
de Norton, then engaged to be married, the land in Withmere which
Nicholas had previously given with his daughter Cecilia's hand to
Ralph de Roucester, for a rent of 4s. 2d. a year. At a later date, in 1309,
a 'Henricus de Norton Gresleye' was ordained' priest at Colwich upon • Lichf. Episc.
his patrimonial title and by letters dimissory from the Bp. of Lincoln. ^'^S- '• '°9-
3. Nicholas de Gresley is mentioned in one pedigree' (which omits ' Gresl.
Henry) as a son of Robert de Gresley, but is probably a reference to Chartul. p. 5.
Robert's grandson, if not a simple mistake.
32 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Chap. III.
William de Gresley.
(occ. 1 184-1220.)
Even with the second WiUiam de Gresley we hardly
emerge into a clearer light, the records about him being
still inconsiderable. He nowhere seems to call himself
definitely William son of Robert, but in the Pipe Roll for
Warwickshire and Leicestershire in 1 183-4 we find that
' Willelmus de Greselea reddit computum de xxx marcis
pro habenda terra patris sui, tarn de feodo comitis Cestrie
quam de feodo episcopi Cestriensis ' and no other William
de Gresley is known to have been alive at that time, while
the entry appears to give the date of Robert's death. His
close connexion with the Ferrers family and his frequent
title Dominus de Lullington are among the presumptions
which lead one to feel sure of the parentage of this William.
He is concerned also in a dispute about the advowson of
B Placita Kingston 8, the church which William fitz Nigel certainly
Sai"s™c.^iii. owned, and which William states that his grandfather
cf.l^-as^'^See William did own. The deeds in which he occurs as
also Testa de a witncss range from 1194'' to 1220'. One, undated,
appears to bear his seal: it is a grant •" by him of land at
Wetley (Heteleia), and the seal bears the legend + sigill'
wiLLELMi DE GRESLEiA, round a knight on horseback with
j Brit. Mus. drawn sword (Birch's Catal. of Brit. Mus. Seals no. 6076,
Woiiey Ch. V. , g^jj-j^ j^th Cent.'). This is the first Gresley seal of the main
line, but two damaged ones of William's uncle Ralph de
' Gresi. Gresley are at Drakelowe ^.
ffacs'tn ^' ^ There is an important set of deeds connecting this William
jeajes). with Drakclowe. We have seen that in about 1090-94
a pestilence occurred at Drakelowe and drove nearly all
its inhabitants to Gresley, and it appears probable that
Nigel's son William lived at Gresley in consequence, and
built the Castle there. But the actual history of Drakelowe
between Nigel's time and 1200 is matter of conjecture. It
was perhaps always part of the great Lancaster fief, which
was soon after 1066 in the hands of Roger the Poitevin, but
49. 51-
» Salt Soc
I. a8.
Ibid.
IVilliam de Gresley (iii) 33
at some time before 1086' was temporarily escheated to the Chap. hi.
Crown, which granted Drakelowe to Nigel de Stafford in or
before that year. Roger again held it from about 1090 until day Survey.
he was expelled from England in 1103 for complicity in the
rising of his brother Robert de Belesme. The whole fief
was then finally forfeited to the Crown, and Henry i gave
it ™ to his nephew Stephen of Blois : and he when King "■ see at foot,
presented it to Ralph de Gernon Earl of Chester, who as
we have seen dates one of his deeds 'apud Greselegam.'
At the accession of Henry ii (1154) the fief again reverted
to the Crown. But these vicissitudes in the history of the
Honour of Lancaster do not preclude the idea of a tenancy
by the Gresleys. And in the Pipe Rolls of 1170-71, 1171-72,
1 188 89 and 1201-2 certain lands in the fief are held by
a Nigel de Gresley, and these lands are known from the
later references to be Drakelowe, which seems to have been
in or before 1188 granted out of the corpus of the Honour
by the King. This Nigel seems to have been Nigel" de -seepp. 18,28.
Stafford, the name of the original tenant being often continued
long after his death, in this section of the Pipe Rolls. In these
Pipe-roll entries Nigel's name is given in juxtaposition with
that of a William fitz Walkelin, who was of Duston in North-
amptonshire, but Walkelin is also a Ferrers name and
unusual outside that family. A Walkelin was brother of
William Earl Ferrers {d. 1191) and is said to have married a
De Toeni, and that very Earl's son William (Earl Ferrers,
d. 1247) did in 1192 marry Agnes a grand-daughter and
heiress of Ralph de Gernon Earl of Chester. In this way
we find the Ferrers family brought near to Drakelowe and
Gresley, and we are thus prepared for the set of deeds
referred to above.
The one dated deed is a royal grant of March 17, 1205°, ° Rymer's
confirming to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and to his (Lond. 1816)
heirs ' servitium Willielmi de Greseleia et heredum suorum Londim 02':
" This transference took place in about 1114-1116, at which date the Honour of jj_
Lancaster probably came into existence. Since the later Pipe Rolls seem to imply
that Drakelowe was confirmed to Nigel de Stafford as part of that Honour, it would
seem probable that Nigel lived till at least about a. d. 1115. (Gen. Wrottesley.)
34
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
P Testa de
Neville pp.
17. 18, 400
( Feud. Derb.
i. 401, 409::
Bnt. Mus.
MS. Hai-1.
6671, fol. 33 :
R. S. xcix. ii.
566, 571, 587.
« Salt Soc. iv.
II.
' Brit. Mus.
MS. Cotton
Calig. A. viii :
cf. Bodl. MS.
Dugd. 39, fol.
12: Pegges
Beauchief
Abbey (iSoi)
p. 186:
Hearne's
Chron. Joh.
(1726) ii. 562.
" Leic. iii.
1009*.
' Cox, Derb.
Chh. iii. 388.
" Surrey
Arch. Ass.
Extr. vol. i.
10.
« Gresl.
Charter 73 :
Gresl.
Chartul. pp.
" Gresl.
Chartul. p. 30.
' Brit. Mus.
MS. Eg. 996,
fol. 78 : Bodl.
MS. Dodsw.
34 : 'staff.
Visit".
» Fine Rolls
ii. 90, cf.
Bodl MS.
Dodsw. XV,
fol. 396'.
de terra de Drakelawe, quam de nobis tenuit idem Williel-
mus, per liberum servitium unius arcus et unius pharetre et
duodecim sagittarum per annum.' Here is evidence that
William de Gresley held Drakelowe of King John by the
service of a bow, quiver and twelve arrows 3'earty, and that
in 1201 the Earl of Ferrers appears as mesne Lord holding
Drakelowe in capite of the King and sub-granting it to
William de Gresley, to be held b}^ the same service.
Round this dated deed are grouped other records, some
dated, some undated, which show^ that the Earl held the
land of the King by the same service as that by which
William held it of the Earl, that Drakelowe was of the
Honour of Lancaster, that the bow was to be without
string, the quiver of Tutbury or Lancaster make (Tutbury
being the Earl's chief seat), the arrows feathered, that
'i bozo' (broad-headed shaft) was also required: and that
this arrangement was in force till 1217-18 at least. The last
mention of William de Gresley is in April 12201 as one of
twelve jurymen summoned at Lichfield.
The name of William de Gresley's wife Basilia is certain
(unless there be an error in the original record) from the
Calendar of the Praemonstratensian Abbey of Beauchief^
which has come down to us. There, opposite July 26
(vii Kal. Aug.), occurs ' Commemoratio Basille matris Galfridi
de Gresely ' : and of no other Geoffrey but this William's
son could the mother's name have been Basilia or Basilia.
Nichols'' notes that the two Basilias need corroboration,
but unless matris be used loosely for aviae, both are proved
satisfactorily. The one here commemorated was probably
a benefactress to the abbey. Their issue was :^
1. Geoffrey de Gresley, see p. 35.
2. Henry de Gresley. rector of Lullington in about 1225', whose wife
may possibly have been named Alice ", and who certainly had two sons
Geoftrey and Henry both de Lullington ''.
3. Agatha, once called Agnes", who married Geoffrey de Bee".
4. Alice who married Richard fitz Gilbert ^ She probably survived
her husband, for in 1250? Geoffrey de E verle has the custody of her lands.
For a supposed William see p. 38, n. ^.
Geoffrey dc Greslcy (iv)
Gecffrey de Gresley. IV
(occ. 1210-1240.)
The name Geoffrey first appears with this de Gresley,
and may some day be a clue or corroboration when his
mother's family is known, for neither the De Toenis nor
Staffords nor Ferrers exhibit it, while other distinctive
names such as Engenulph and Petronilla are apparently
from the last-named family. The eldest grandson of the
present Geoffrey bore the name, and also his grandson, but
from 1440 to 1740 it does not occur again.
Geoffrey was clearly a person of distinction and high in
the esteem of William Earl Ferrers, who in 1192 married
Agnes the sister and co-heir of Ranulph Earl of Chester,
and who through her received large estates between the
Ribble and the Mersey which had belonged to her father.
It will be remembered that that Earl of Chester was
connected with Gresley, and his daughter's name perhaps
suggested that of the prioress of Gresley (see below, p. 36).
The first mention of Geoffrey is in the Praestita Roll ^ of ' Lib. Rott.
1210, when among the sums of money advanced (praestita 223.^°^' ^'°'
facta) to the knights in Ireland where King John was
conducting a campaign, are sums of fifty marks, forty, and
sixty, advanced to the Earl Ferrers and delivered over
(for transfer to the Earl) to Geoffrey de Gresley. In 1220 Dodsw. xxix.
he and his wife are sued'' for trespass at Cressington foi"*'",""'
(? = Cessington, Cossington) on the land of his wife's brother t e.g. Sait
Roger then under age. The suit was probably connected Hisi'^Msa^'
with a family dispute, and the offence a technical one. Comm ix. 2.
In several undated deeds he is described as 'tunc Charter 49":
seneschallus Comitis de Ferrariis\' showing that he was soc.vii.73i:
Steward in the Earl's household: so also in one Plea-Roll ShaWs staff.
dated Nov. 1227 -. I Salt soc. iv.
In one deed he occurs among the witnesses as ' Constabu- '■ 53-
larius de Peco'',' Constable of the Peak, or in full, Constable 27^.'
of the Castle of the High Peak". In the year 1215 William ' Derb. Arch.
Earl Ferrers had won Bolsover and Peak Castles from ^T,' ^^' ^°'
36
The Grcslevs of Draketoivc
Chap. III.
' Pegge's
Bolsover and
Peak Castle
(1785 , p. 6:
Derb. Arch.
Soc. ix. 126,
cf. xiv. 53,
165.
E See at foot.
" Salt Soc. i.
223 (Close
Roll of 24
Hen. 3;.
1 Salt Soc. iv.
I. 14. Bodl.
MS. Dodsw.,
ut supra.
J Gresl.
Chartul. p. 20.
" Leic. iii.
651-2.
> Camd. Soc.
viii. p. 66.
n> Gresl.
Charter 99.
" Brit. Mus.
MS. Wolley
Charter vi. 28,
with the
prioress' seal.
» Derb. Arch.
Soc. xii. 39
( Derbyshire
Fine).
P Gresl.
Chartul. p. 30.
1 Brit. Mus.
MSS. Add.
Chart. 24712,
Harl. Chart.
43. D. 6.
■• Salt Soc.
xvi. 276.
• Gresl.
Chartul. p. 28.
King John in fighting against the Barons, and in 1216 was
made Governor (Castellanus) of Peak Castle*', an office he
also held in at least 1217' and 1229'': and which is identical
with that of Constable of the Peak «.
The last mention of him is on June 19, 1240, when the
service which he owed for Kingston is assigned to Hawisia
Fitz-Alan"". His seal is known from Gresley Charter
40 (see App. C), which bears the arms vaire of Gresley :
drawings of his seal may also be seen in certain copies of
a grant by him to Polesworth in Bodl. MSS. Dodsw. Ixv,
p. 49 and Dugd. F. 2, p. 15, as well as in Brit. Mus. MS.
Add. 8157, fol. 10. This is the first definite occurrence of
the arms of the famil}', and may probably be dated in about
1240.
Geoffrey was twice married, first (before Easter 1220') to
Margery^ daughter of Roger de Somervile and of his wife
Maud lady of Cossington in Leicestershire. Their children
were : —
1. William, see p. 37.
2. Agnes, prioress of Grace Dieu. This was an Austin house of nuns
founded to the honour of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity at
Belton in Leicestershire (about ten miles west of Gresley) by Roesia
de Verdun in about 1240. In Gresley Charter 40 we have a record that
WiUiam gave two virgates of land, with his sister Agnes, to the church
of the Trinity at L[a Grace Dieu.'] outside Belton, perhaps in 1240. It
is probable that Agnes de Gresley was the first prioress, since she
occurs in that position in 1242, according to Nichols ^ and certainly in
about 1250', 1262™, 1269° and even 1281". The dates are however
complicated by the fact that Nichols also states that in 1243 Grosseteste"s
Register at Lincoln testifies that Mary de Stretton was elected prioress.
Either Agnes was only nun in 1242, or there was a temporary vacancy
in 1243.
3. ' Robert de Gresley ' is perhaps only (and not quite certainly) known
as a witness in three deeds p, two of which are of 1225 1, and in none of
which is his parentage given.
4. Geoffrey son of Geoffrey de Gresley occurs as a witness', and also as
the recipient of a messuage in Donisthorp ^ It is probable that he met
B In about 1600, when the Castle was part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the duty
of the Constable was to attach persons committing offences against the King within
the liberty, to keep them prisoners in the Castle, and to see that the Castle itself
was in good condition ifleib. Arch. Soc. xv. 96).
grees in a
Staffordsh.
Visitation).
William de Gresley (v) 37
with a violent death, for in Jan. 129^ one Reginald de Bokesworth ' had Chap. III.
surrendered at Cambridge to stand his trial for the murder of Geofl'rej'
'deGrisele.' « Patent Rolls
Geoffrey's first wife may have died before 1244", for in p. 466. '
that year and in 1247'' one Juliana de Gresley from Leicester- j^^^"^"'^- '^•
shire'' occurs in connexions which certainly suggest that she « ibid. 106.
was Geoffrey's widow (at least in 1247), though the fact of Ll''''^" "V. °'
wifehood or widowhood is not definitely stated.
William de Gresley. V
(occ. abt. 1240-1247.)
The first appearance of William de Gresley is in an
undated grant == by him, with the advice and consent of » Gresi.
Geoffrey de Gresley his father, of two virgates of land to ^^ ^'^ *°'
Walter Leveriz de Cossington. As there seems to be an
allusion to Agnes as already a nun at Grace Dieu, it cannot be
before about 1240, and is probably very nearly of that date.
To this deed William's seal is attached, as well as his father's,
the former y consisting of a fine fleur-de-lys encircled with y facs. in
the legend ' + Sigill' : Wilelmi : de : Greseleg,' all in good chapters pUi.'
preservation.
William appears as grantor or witness in several undated
deeds, and in dated ones ranging from 124^ to 1247": but ^ Gresi.
an earlier mention of him is in 1242-3, when he is found
holding one knight's fee and perhaps | of another, in
Linton ^ : and in a later deed he is a defendant in a suit slh'socf iv.
already mentioned (p. 28). In 1245 he grants the advowson ^- '°^-
of Lullington to Gresley Priory. i. 445. '
The affair of the advowson of Kingston requires closer
attention than any of the preceding facts. A deed printed
in Dugdale's Monasticon " declares that William de Gresley " Dugd. Mon.
. ed. Ellis, V. i
son of Geoffrey de Gresley (which can only be the present 4i'i.
William) gave to Roucester abbey certain lands in Kingston
with the advowson of the church of Kingston, probably in Ms"HaH"^'
about 1240, certainly not before 1229''. Yet in Aug. 1304" 3868, foi. 26'.
the Bishop of Lichfield ratifies the appropriation of Kingston e^^c*^ R^g. i,
to Roucester as a gift made in the time of his predecessor 'o'- ^o".
Charter 73.
Erdesw.
38
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. III.
« Lichf.
Episc. Reg. i,
fol. 26'.
' Patent Roll
ofSEdvv. ii,
pars 2,
8 Salt Soc.
I. 132-
!■ Nichols,
Leic. iii. 2.
1009 *.
' Salt Soc.
viii. I. 149.
Roger (1245-57, 1257-96), and Edward ii in confirming ' the
same implies that it was after 1279 (Statute of Mortmain), and
as the gift was to take effect when a certain rector" died or
resigned, who resigned in 1284, that may be taken as the
date of the grant. Without going more into detail, the facts
appear to be that the Advowson, but not the revenues, was
granted in about 1240, and that the Appropriation, which
implies that the revenues could be applied by the Abbey in
proprios iistis, followed in 1284.
William died before June 1254, for there is then
a reference s to a suit earlier in that year in which Elizabeth
widow of William de Gresley was complainant against
Philip de Verdon about land at Kingston.
Probably before 1245 (see p. 39) he married Elizabeth,
daughter of John de Bakepuiz, Lord of Barton Bakepuiz,
and Roesia his wife : and she occurs as his widow in a deed
of June 1254, see above, and was alive in 1268-9 ^ ^^ is
interesting to find that Bakepuiz in Normandy, from which
this lady's family came, is quite near to Toeni. William
received from Elizabeth's parents with their daughter a rent '
of 20s. from a mill at Bubington.
Geoffrey (see below) was the only issue of this marriage of
which we have any record : and it is with him that we enter
at last into a wider field of records and a clearer light : it
will be seen also that he took a more conspicuous part in the
pubhc affairs of his time.
VI
J Gresl.
Chartul. p. 20.
' Brit. Mus.
MS. Harl.
945, fol. 80,
cf. Add. 8157,
fol. 21 ; Gresl.
Chartul. p. 20.
At the first
ref. Gulielmus
•frater Gal-
fridi ' seems
to be an error
for ' pater
Gallndi.'
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley, Kt.
(b. abt. 1245 : d. 1305-6.)
The first mention of Geoffrey de Gresley is in an agree-
ment^ between William Lord of Caldwell and Geoffrey
Lord of Gresley in 1265-6: and in 1268'' he confirms the
various gifts and privileges conferred by his ancestors on
Gresley Priory. Geoffrey's father died before 1254, and
had his son been of age it is hardly doubtful that this con-
firmation would have occurred in the first j'ear or two
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley (vi) 39
of his enjoyment of his father's estates: it is a fair assump- Chap. 11
tion then (especially as there was no change of prior at
this period) that Geoffrey became of full age in about 1266
and was therefore born in about 1245.
That he was not born much later than 1245 is apparent
from the fact that he took a full share in the Barons' War of
1261-5, and shared in the disasters which befell them after
the battle of Evesham, Aug. 4, 1265. He appears to have
taken part in the wild doings of Robert Ferrers Earl of
Derby. At any rate we find the formal record that on
Nov. 30, 1265, the King granted to Thomas Corbet' all the ' Bodi. Me
lands in Morton and Kingston which had belonged to p.Va.
Geoffrey de Gresley ' inimico et rebelli nostro qui Simoni
de Montfort . . . inimico et feloni nostro et imprisis suis
adheserit tempore guerre que nuper in regno mota fuit.'
By the Dictum de Kenilworth of Oct. 15, 1266, Geoffrey was
empowered to redeem his lands by large payments, instead
of entirely forfeiting them, and this no doubt was done both
with the lands granted to Thomas Corbet and with Drake-
lowe, Gresley, Lullington and Norton which had been
granted to Peter Corbet ". Several suits arose out of these ■" Ro"-
. Westm. 2 =
affairs, and from one" it appears that Geoffrey had been cf Sait s&
taken prisoner at Chartley Castle (the Earl of Derby's seat)
by Hamon Le Strange and hurried off to Bridgenorth ul^~i.
Castle. Escaping thence he joined Simon de Montfort at
London and was with him at Winchester, Oxford, North-
ampton and Kenilworth, of which latter Castle he was
perhaps one of the heroic defenders in 1266. In that year
the vast estates of the Ferrers were transferred to Edmund
Plantagenet.
With the accession of Edward i in 1272 a quieter time
came, and we hear no more of civil struggles. But the
rough experiences of Geoffrey's early life left their mark
for at least two generations, and he himself seems to have
found difficulty in settling down as a country squire. As
early as 1269° he had been 'rioting' at Northbury, though ° ibi
this ma}- have been more a political than a social disturbance
Salt Soc.
172.
4°
The Gresleys of Drakcloive
Cha
but in 1275'' he is found acting forcibly against the Abbot
of Roucester, and in 1279-801 is sued for wounding Ralph
Le Messer at Lullington : there are complaints against him
also in 1279'' and 1290-92 ^ In spite of the large expenses
wealthy landed
P Salt Soc. vi.
I 55-
1 Ibid. vi. I.
109 : at which
also a proof of of redemption, Geoffrey must have been
Sir G.'s pa-
rentage.
■■ Ibid. vi. I.
» Ibid. vi. I.
200, cf. 209.
« Ibid.v.
I. 89, &c.
Charter 154.
' Salt Soc. vi.
I. 144-
" Ibid. vi. I.
241. cf 118 :
Plac. de Quo
Warr. 705.
' Gresl.
Chartul. p.
20.
' Plac.
Westm. 263.
« Gresl.
Chartul. p. 31.
' Salt Soc. i.
153-
' Ibid. i. 180.
" Nichols,
Leic. ii. 434.
« Hundr.
Rolls i. 59.
' Gresl.
Chartul. p. 31.
f Gresl.
Charter
125-6, 148.
»■ Bodl. MS.
22099, fol. 2.
' Gresl.
Chartul. p. 21,
cf. Erit. Mus.
MS. Add.
6671, p. 40.
i Inqu. post
Mort. i. 142.
i" Leic.
Soc. vii
proprietor, and was Lord of at least the manors of Drakelowe',
Norton", Morton", Kingston"', Lullington'' and Linton y,
with property and rights in Gresley^ Wolseley*, Bromley
Bagot*", Bilsdon'', Croxall", Colveley'', Hixon^, Seile'', Ercall
Magna ^ Willesley', Donisthorp J, Swadlincote \ HethcoteJ
and Okethorp K
There is no doubt that knighthood was conferred on this
Geoffrey de Gresley, but this cannot have been as early
as 1270, as Nichols'' states, for in 1271-2' it is expressly
recorded that he is of full age and holds a full knight's fee,
but is not yet knight. It may be doubted whether Edward i
would soon forgive the part taken against his father Henry
iii, although Geoffrey pleaded his loyalty™ at that time. It
was late in his life, when he was often summoned to attend
the King for military service, that knighthood must have
been conferred on him. We find a summons for foreign
service in 1297°, and for Scotch service in the same year"
and in 1298", and in 1301 *». In two parliaments he also
represented Derbyshire (in i^JS'^^d 130P), and was more
than once on the commission for collecting the King's
Fifteenth in Derbyshire, in 1301-3'. At last in a Stafford-
shire Assize Roll" of 21 Edw. i (1292-3) we find him as
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley: again, in a Perambulation of
Cannock and Kynefare forests" in June 1300, we twice find
Geoffrey de Gresley chevaler, and once more among the
New Oblations in a Pipe Roll of 1305-6™ there is mention
of ' Galfridus de Gresley miles,' so that about 1290-92 is
the probable date of his taking up his knighthood.
. 1009*. ■ Salt Soc.
17. " Pari. Writs i.
i. 351 ; Salt Soc. viii. i. 23.
Salt Soc. v. I. 13, 89.
Add. 8157, fol. 21
213. ""Ibid. i. 223-4.
i. 288. 1- Ibid. 312 ; Salt So
■■ Pari. Writs i. 86. ' > Ibid. i. 93, 102. ' « Ibid,
Yeatm. Feud. Derb. i. 262 : cf. an undated deed in
Salt Soc. vi. 1. ^83-4. " ibid. v. i. 176, 179.
Pari. Writs i. 283 ; Salt
.19. 1 Pari. Writs
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley (vi) 41
Sir Geoffrey can only have enjoyed his new rank for Chap. hi.
about fifteen years, for in Hilary Term 1306 his executors
are sued =" for a debt, showing that his death was before ^ Sait Soc.
tliat date, probably in the winter of 1305-6. Two seals of j' g '' ^'*^'
Sir Geoffrey are known, one a small armorial seal attached
to Gresley Charter 103 (reproduced by Jeayes), and one
of a larger size belonging to Gresley Charter 147, of which
there is a drawing in the British Museum >', in which he " MS. Add.
is on horseback, facing the dexter side, bearing a shield Difgdak hid'
vaire in his left hand and in his right an uplifted sword: ft '^hI^" er^I
the armour of his horse also bears vaire before and behind. Life of Dugj.
Sir Geoffrey's sigillimi secretum is mentioned in 1294-5 ^ 214^.
He had the right of Gallows (Jmbiiit fiircam) in at least ' Erdesw.
Croxall (Hundr. Rolls i. 59), Kingston (Salt Soc. v. i. 118, (^Hamper,
vi. I. 241), Drakelowe and Lullington (implied in Placita de ^^ ^ °^'^-''
Quo Warranto, p. 141 f), and there can be but few other f See p. igo.
famihes in England beside the Gresleys whose ancestors in
the male line had this right of hanging thieves caught in
flagrante delicto.
His wife's name was Agnes, who occurs in 1291-2", when " Gresi.
Chartul.
P-34-
her husband and she (' Anneys ') make provision for a canon
of Gresley to pray for her soul : that she was not then dead
is shown by the fact that she survived'' him. Their issue " Brit. Mus.
Add. 6671,
was :- p. 43.
1. Peter, see p. 42.
2. Robert de Gresley, whose life was overshadowed by a sentence of
outlawry. In 1279 some land at Hixon had been granted by his father " o c'^'T
to William de WaSteneys of Hixon, and there was probably friendship 283, 284.
between the two families. There must however have been also d Gresl.
quarrelling, for in 1292-3 Robert was indicted at the Staftbrdshire Chartul. p. 32
Assizes for the homicide of John "^ brother of William de Wasteneys, ^/g'^'"^,'
probably at Tamvvorth,,_and was outlawed for that and for minor crimes, j^j-^ f^i
He 1 ~
John
He had married Isolda, who in 1297-8'' was a widow with a son 107": Bodl.
M.S. Dodsw.
lol. 31'.
3. William was in i290-2'<' sued for damage done at Lullington, and ° Salt Soc. vi.
was concerned in the affair of his brother Robert and similarly out-
lawed <^. It may be he who was pardoned in 1295 f for causing the death ^f /* '
of Richard Wychard^of Shayle. 138.
295, P-
42 TJie Gresleys of Drakeloivc
Chap. III.
vii Sir Peter de Gresley, Kt.
(occ. 1290 : d. abt. 1310.)
Sir Peter has the least satisfactory record of all the heads
of the house of Gresley. In the qualities which make a good
soldier he resembled his father, but he inherited also a strain
of roughness and violence which was transmitted to his
sons in a still more marked degree. Except in the various
deeds of grant to which he is a party, there is hardly a record
of himself or his family which is not concerned either with
hard fighting or other equally violent but less legitimate
conduct. The very earliest mention of him is that he was
SaitSoc.vi. sued for damage done at Lullington, in 1290-2 », and one
of the latest is a similar trial for damage at Hendenhouse
Ibid. vii. I. Heath, Clifton, in Michaelmas i3o6\ while in Michaelmas
','' ' ^!. iwo' he had been fined 'for many defaults.'
Ibid. vu. I. ■'
i. From 1298 to 1306 he is constantly given letters of pro-
,, . , ... tection as about to start for Scotland, either as in the retinue
Ibid. vm. I. '
■>■ of the Earl of Gloucester (May 1298-'), or as in the retinue
Ibid. 21. of Robert Fitz- Walter (June 1300''), or as 'vallet' of the
Ibid. 24. Prince of Wales (July' and Oct.™ 1301), or as in the retinue
^ ocL.. CO . ^^ Robert de la Warde (Apr. 1304°, June 1306°). In April
Salt Soc. 1307 a writ summoned him to London to be knighted with
','■',■ ^^' the Prince of Wales, soon after succession to his father's
Ibid. 27.
estates, and there is no doubt that on Whitsunday in that
year (May 14) he was dubbed Knight at Westminster with
some three hundred more, and proceeded forthwith to a
Cresi campaign in Scotland. Accordingly, in a deed of July 7,
hariui. p. 33. J207, we find him styled 'Sir Pere de Greseleyef.' In
1308 "I he was one of those called on to array the Staffordshire
levies, but he must have died while in the prime of life,
■■ Salt Soc. i.x. for the last mention of him is in Michaelmas 1309 "■, and
» ib°d -x I '" 1312^ he was certainly dead, while Nichols' states that
II- he died in 1309-10 — which may be a legitimate deduction
J009*? '"" ^' from the incident mentioned later in connexion with his wife.
Pat. Roll
p.
Sir Peter de Gresley (vii) 43
His estates were large, for in 1309 he obtained by royal Chap. hi.
charter" the right of free warren in Norton in Leicestershire ; o cresi.
Gresley, Lullington, Linton, Donisthorpe, Heathcote, Swad- Charter koIi-
lincote, Drakelowe and Caldwell in Derbyshire; Morton, 1308-9, p.Ma.
Kingston and Hixon in Staffordshire ; and Toft in Norfolk.
The manor of Eggington in Derbyshire also came to him
through his wife.
His seal is apparently not known to exist, but there is
a coloured full-length portrait" of him, probably drawn for " Brit. Mus.
King Henry vi, which represents 'Sir Peres de Greyle' 4205,^1.113.
in complete armour with visor up, with banner in his right
hand and sword in his left: both banner and surcoat bear
the arms vaire ermine and gules.
He married Johanna, daughter and co-heiress of Sir
Robert de Stafford and a lineal descendant of the Toenis.
Very shortly after her husband's death, she was forcibly
abducted " from her manor of Drakelowe, which had been " For the
assigned to her by her eldest son, and carried off to Swin- see Salt Soc.
nerton by Sir John de Swinnerton and others. There she ™'.^x^^' -
was detained for a long time, and it is certainly noticeable 62: Patent
that we hear nothing of her for some years after this event, pp. 228, 307.
Justice was slow, and not till 1323-4 was Sir John brought
to trial, when he produced a pardon from the King dated
May 25, 1310! However before 1320 Johanna must have
escaped, for she was then the wife ^ of Sir Walter de Mont- ' SaitSoc. i.x.
gomery (a connexion of the Svvinnertons), who died in 1322 y cresi.
or 13235'. The violence of the times can be as well gathered '^harti.i p. 38,
^ ^ ^ compared
from the following single incident as from a catalogue of with Sait Soc.
crimes. On Sept. 23, 1323^, Johanna is found abetting her » sait Soc x
I- 56. 5Q-60 :
Patent Rolls
■' Extracts from the Pica Rolls. Coram Rege. Hillary, iS E. II. 1327, p. 43 ;
(Salt Soc. v.. I. pp. 59-60.) see footnote.
Leic. The SherilT had been ordered to arrest Peter son of Peter de Greseleye
and Robert his brother, Joan the wife of Walter de Monte Gomeri, and William
de Northfolk, and produce them at Trinity term, to answer the appeal of Philippa
formerly wife of William de Monte Gomeri for the death [of] William her
husband, at which day Philippa appeared and the defendants did not appear
and the Sheriff returned they could not be found and held nothing within his
bailiwick, and he was ordered to put them into the cxigctid and if they did not
appear, to outlaw them, and he now returned that the said Peter and William
had not appeared at the County Courts, and had been outlawed, but that the said
44 The Gresleys of Drakclozve
Chap. Ill, soos Peter and Robert de Gresley in the murder of Sir
William de Montgomery son of her late husband Sir Walter
'on the high road under the park of Seal'! Philippa the
widow of the murdered man procured the arrest of all three,
» Salt Soc. but they were acquitted ! Again in 1333 * she was accused
of murder and again acquitted. After these records— and
they are only samples— one is not surprised to hear of her
•i Ibid. X. r. own strong-box being broken into at Drakelowe in 1323-4 ^
" Ibid .xii 17 ^^ ^^^^ ^" *-"" before 1342 <" her turbulent life is ended.
The children of Sir Peter and Johanna were : —
1. Geoffrey, see p. 46.
2. Thomas, who escapes with the lightest number of charges against
him. He was only accused of trespass with his brother Edmund in
Robert and Joan had appeared at the fifth Court, and had surrendered themselves
prisoners, and he had sent them roiciiii Rcgc, and they were committed to the
custody of the Marshall, who produced them before the Court, and the said
Philippa likewise appeared and appealed the said Robert brother of Peter son
of Peter de Gre-eleye, of procuring and abetting the death of her husband, and
she stated that they were in the vill of Norton, near Twycrosse, in co. Leicester,
on the Thursday before the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 17 E. II.,
in the manor house in aula tmiiu-nn of Walter de Monte Gomeri, from which
place the said Robert had feloniously procured and sent the said Peter son of Peter
de Greseleye to kill her husband, and by which mission, procurement and assent,
the said Peter son of Peter de Greseleye, on the Tuesday before the Feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the same year, and at the third hour, had
feloniously struck her husband on the head in the vill of Oversheile in Co.
Leicestre, on a heath called les Whetelondes, near the Abbey of Mirivale, with
a sword of Cologne worth 6i-., and of which he had died within the arms of the
said Philippa, &c.
And the said Philippa appealed the said Joan, wife of Walter de Monte Gomeri,
of aiding, abetting, and procuring the death of her husband, and stated she was
present in the vill of Norton and had sent the said Peter to commit the deed as
aforesaid, &c.
And the said Robert and Joan appeared and defended the felony, and stated
that the said Philippa ought not to be admitted to appeal them for the death of
her husband, because she had remitted to them her suit for the said death, and
all actions and trespasses from the beginning of the world up to the Monday after
the last Feast of the Purification, by her deed which they produced, and as the
said Philippa did not deny her deed she was committed to the custody of the
Marshall.
And process against the said Robert and Joan being continued at the suit of
the King for abetting the said death, the said Robert stated he was a clerk, and
could not answer without his Ordinary, &c. And the said Joan stated she was
not guiltj- and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for three weeks from
Easter, and in the meantime she was committed to the custody of Robert de
Dumbleton, the Marshall, but was afterwards admitted to bail, on the surety of
Edward Charles, Geoffrey Wich, Robert Baynard, Knights, of co. Norlolk. and
Robert Took, Knight. John de Miners, Roger de Bradburn, and John de Hamburi,
of CO. Derby. A postscript states that the process was continued till Easter
term, 19 E. II , when a jury returned a verdict that the said Robert and Joan
were not guilty of abetting the death of the said William de Monte Gomeri, and
they weie therefore acquitted of the same.
S/r Peter de Gresley (vii) 45
1320'', and fined with many of the gentry of Derbyshire for hunting in, Chap. III.
or receiving venison from, the Forest of the Peak in 1364-5 (.?)«. He ^ . _
and his elder brother Sir Geoffrey were of a quieter or more restrained j 33,
disposition than the rest of the family. ' Derb. Arch.
Soc xiv. 167.
3. Peter, of whom we have no account apart from the records of the ' Salt Soc. x.
Staffordshire Assizes. In 1323 he is accused of rioting both at Lichfield f '• 52-
and Ashbourne 8. But in the same year a more serious crime was „ ib'jd' 56.
proved against him, namely the murder i" of Sir William de Montgomery, > Patent
as above mentioned. As he did not answer to the summons he was Rolls 'S^Ti
outlawed, and did not receive a pardon for the deed till March i32f'. j sJit So(._
Soon after this he was himself killed) at Adgaresley by Henry son xiv. i. 14-15,
of John Le Miners and William Le Hunte, who were brought to trial in f4;
,,-' , ^ " Ibid. X. 1.8.
March 132!;;. , ibid. 33, 36.
4. Edmund, who as early as 1310 is accused of damage'' at Over Seile " y^' .^'
with his brother (cousin .') John. In 1320 and 1321 he has gone a step 30, 33, 34.
further and is summoned for trespass ', that is forcible entry into private " Ibid. xiv. i.
grounds : but in 1325 and again in 1327 his crime is robbery, at Eyton "» p'iJjjh x" r
and at Walton", where he is also accused of intent to murder John 87.94.
Grim: in the latter year he was even on his trial for the murder" of ^ Gresley
John de Pycheford : and as late as 1348 a charge of robbery at Little ?']bid"'' ^' *'■
Lockesley i' is brought against him. He was still living in 1357-8, when s .Salt Soc.
he granted l,and in Edingalei to his brother Sir Robert. He was xiv. i. 67.
married and had a son Geoffrey, who owned land in 1353-4''. ag-^o-'x' i'
5. Sir Robert de Gresley of Edingale, Kt., the most prominent of the ^^;, . ,
younger sons of Sir Peter. The assizes record ten charges against him 53 ; xiv. i. 30,
between 1320 and 1348, one of trespass ^ two of riot', three of robbery", 33, 34 ; xii. i.
and no less than four of murder: in Dec. 1320 he robbed and killed f'j.^l'
William Attewood'' at Marchington : in 1321-2 he aided and abetted 56,63.'
a murder atMarston^: in 1327 John de Pycheford^ was his victim: " Ibid. 56.
and probably also Waclyn de Wintertony. His methods of evading " Ib'd. xiv. i.
tlie consequences of these misdeeds do honour to his ingenuity. In y'see'footnote.
July 1333^ for his services with the King's army in Scotland he obtained ^ Salt Soc.
a general pardon for all felonies, and in Hilary 133^^ flourished this I'Vu-^' ^^'
useful document in the face of the judge and jury when accused of having 30. "
six years earlier robbed the parson of Walton. On another occasion "" he " Ibid. x. i.
remembered that he was a ' Clerk,' and said that he could not answer ^°' ^^^ P- '14-
the charge without his Ordinary !
Turning from this catalogue of misdemeanors, we find Sir Robert
representing Derbyshire in the Parliament of 1340, fighting in Scotland
both in 1333^ and 1335°, summoned to Ipswich with his brothers ° Ibid. viii. i.
Edmund and Roger for foreign service in November 1338 "i, and serving \'^\,..
in Aquitaine under the Earl of Lancaster in 1346 «, when he probably e ibid.' viii
took part in the siege of Calais {1346-7). The last mention of him is i. 73.
' See p. 31, where the incident is narrated in connexion with an earlier Robert
de Gresley : but I now believe that it is properly related of Sir Robert of Edingale.
46
The Gresleys of Drakelowc
Chap. III. as a grantor of land in Hartley f near Coventry in 1360-1. He appears
, _ ■ to be first mentioned as a Knight in 13438. His seal'' bears vaire a
' Erdesw. . . •, j
Stan- p. 212; bend engrailed.
Bodl. MS. Sir Robert married Elena daughter of John Revell son of William
Dugd. H. p. Revell of Newbold Revell, who became co-heiress ' with her two sisters
59 '
ifhere is
his seal
E Salt Soc.
Brit. Mus.
MS. Stc.we
Charter 137
(I347J-
•> Gresley
Chartul. p. 42.
1 Dugd.
Warw. pp.
58-9-
J Salt Soc.
xvii. 113.
^ Gresley
Chartul p. 51.
' Brit. Mus.
MS. Harl.807,
fol. 60. and
Peerages.
"" Bodl. MS.
Dodsw. .xlii.
P- .^5-
» Salt Soc. xi.
18s.
" Ibid. X. I.
67-8 ; iv. 2.
29-30.
I' Patent
Rolls 1333,
P- 437-
1 Salt Soc.
ng of °n 'be death without issue of her three brothers, and brought thereby
to her issue the manor of Brownsover in Warwickshire and other
property. Their issue was Robert who died without issue, and Joan
who married Richard Boteler before 1382 (and had a daughter Eliza-
beth, who married Ralph Bellers J), and perhaps married as a second
husband William Wale ^ of Northampton. Sir Robert also had a son
Thomas who married Katrine and died before 1405-6, for in that year
the widow and her son Thomas are mentioned'^. It is possible that
Sir Robert was twice married, for a Robert de Gresley certainly
married Katherine, one of the five daughters and co-heiresses of
William de Camvile 1, Lord Camvile of Clifton (d. 1338), who were all
of full age in 1308 and among whose descendants the Barony of Camvile
is still in abeyance. Robert and Katherine occur in 1336-7 ■" and
i33i "•
6. Roger we find accused of rioting in 1326", and outlawed for the
murder of Roger de Norton in 1335, for which he was pardoned p.
There are other notes 1 of a Roger de Gresley, who might be this Roger,
between 1354 and 1392, usually as an attorney.
A Vincent de Gresley was accused with his brother
Geoffrey of trespass in 1321 "■, and of damage at Alrewas in
1323 % and is a witness to a deed' apparently of 13!^, but
I cannot prove that he was a son of Sir Peter. See p. 155.
There is also a Nicholas de Gresley clerk who also occurs
as an attorney or as a witness, between 1320 " and 1340 ".
Registrum de
Charter 313
(Trin. Coll. Camb. MS., from a Cotton MS.); Salt Soc. xiii. 206, 199 ; Gresley Chartul. p. 47,
■■ Salt Soc. X. I. 36. s Ibid. i.x. i. 19. ' Gresley Chartul. p. 41. " Salt Soc. v.
Derb. Arch. Soc. vii. 143. ' Salt Soc. xi. 105; cf. Derb. Arch. Soc. xviii. 13; &c.
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley, Kt.
(occ. 1309 : d. abt. 1331-2.)
" Brit. Mu
MS. Add.
6674. fol. 8
The eldest son of Sir Peter seems to have been as peaceful
as his father, mother and brothers were turbulent. The first
mention of him is in August 1309 when he was granted free
warren" in his manor of Gresley at the instance of Hugh Le
Sir Geoffrey de Gresley (viii) 47
Despencer: this may mark the date of his father's death. Chap. ill.
In 1324 he was summoned to Parhament ^ as a Staffordshire 5 sait Soc.
Knight of the Shire, and occurs in subsidy rolls of Stafford- ""• '■ '^^■
shires' and Derbyshire'^ (1327) as holding land in Morton, 7 ibid. vii. i.
Wolverhampton and Lullington. A grant by him to Gresley ^'°''^«-
Priory of all profits from deaths within the priory (June 6, Public Record
1325) has been already mentioned*: and there is another °''''"'-
probably of the same year by which he gives land in Castle
Gresley to the same priory. He must have died before
Hilary term 1333 ^ but was alive in 1330". His seal (im- '' SaitSoc. xi.
perfect) is on Gresley Charter 185 (1318) and has been xfi". 71.^^' ^^'
reproduced by Jeayes. ■^ Gresley
His wife was Margaret, daughter of Sir John Gernon, Kt., but^'cf.GrTsLy
of Lanington, near Oxford, who occurs as a widow in various Chartui. p. 45.
deeds from 1332 ^ to 1352 " : her seal is known from Gresley J Salt Soc. x.
Charter 256'' and a drawing in the Gresley Chartularys, and ,^g^^^,g
bears three coats of arms (Gresley, Gernon and Langton). charter 2S3.
On March 25, 1318, Sir Geoffrey had granted" to Hugh coitor^'snd "^
Gernon, parson of the church of Ylkesleye, his manor of ed., p. 333-
Morton and all his lands in Morton and Hixon, perhaps as ^ p '^=-
trustee for his wife : and this may mark the year or period charter "185.
of the marriage.
It is however very difficult to discover the parentage of
this Margaret Gernon. The best account of the Gernon
family is to be found in R. E. Chester Waters' Chester of
Chicheley (1878), and part of the pedigree which in point of
date seems nearest to Margaret is given in the Pedigrees.
The two original assertions of her connexions are in Gresley
documents entered in a Staffordshire Visitation, printed in
Salt Soc. iii. 2. 86, 87, where she is described as (i) ' fille a
John Gernon S' de Laminton pres Oxenford ' and (2) ' filia
Johannis Gernon militis Domini de Lanington juxta Oxoniam.
Port gules 3 pales unde argent.' The only two places near
Oxford which in any way resemble Lamington or Lanington
or, as the word has generally been assumed to be, Laving-
ton (' Lanington '), are Lavendon in Buckinghamshire and
Langton, Lanton or (as now) Launton near Bicester in
Tlie Grcsleys of Drakelozve
"■ See Baker's
Northampton'
Chap. III. Oxfordshire. The former ' may be dismissed : the distance
, gg^ from Oxford is more than thirty miles, the manor was in the
Lipscomb's hands of the Peuvre or Peover family, and there is no trace
Buckingham- -^
shire, vol. 4. of the name Gernon or the spelling Lavington. Launton ■> is
J See White only eleven miles from Oxford, but the manor has from the
Kennets "^
Ambrosden. Conquest been in the hands of the Abbey of Westminster,
and no trace of the Gernon family is known there. The
Gernons had some property in Abington'' near Northampton.
Margaret's seal is mentioned above, the three coats of
i^4of." ''°' arms being, vaire for Gresley, paly wavy of six for Ccnion,
and six annulets, two, three and one, for Langto7t (?).
The issue of Sir Geoffrey and Margaret was : —
John, see below.
For Nicholas, sometimes stated to be a son of Geoffrey, see p. 46.
ix Sir John de Gresley, Kt.
(occ. 1327-96.)
Sir John de Gresley is notable, not only for his long life,
which covered more than three-quarters of the fourteenth
century, but also for his marriage with the widow of the
head of the De Wastene3'S family, an alliance which ultimately
brought the manor of Colton and other large possessions to
the estate of the Gresle3-s.
As early as 1327-8 a John de Gresley occurs in a Subsidy
' Public RolP for Derbyshire as holding land in Lullington, but the
offi °et cf. head of the family was still under age at Easter 1334 when the
Gresley £^j.j ^f Lancaster claimed the wardship "■ of him from Roger
Chartul. p. 37. '^ "^
- SaitSoc.xi. de Swynnerton. In 1349-50° he is first found as Sir John de
5-- Gresley, Kt., and both in 1358-9 and 1372-3 is Sheriff of
ChanuK p. 25. Derbj'shire with Nottinghamshire. In the brief Parliament
of 1372 he sat as a representative of Staffordshire. In his
earlier years he seems to have imitated his uncles, if he be
the John who was accused of trespass in 1341, 1342 and
I. ii6-7°'^xii.'" 1345°) but that there were other Johns de Gresley, whom we
15, 44- cannot place in the pedigree, is shown by one of those names
Chartul p. 42. being Prior of Gresley in 1360-1 '', who perhaps induced Sir
Sir John de Grcsley (ix)
49
John to make a considerable grant of land i to the Priory Chap. hi.
two years afterwards. , _,
, , _ ' Inqu. ad
His armorial seal is attached to a deed' of \'\i^>, and to quod damnum
in Public
a manumission = of Thomas Nettebreyder his butler at RecoidOffice,
Drakelowe, May 28, 1379: but in Oct. 1393 he lost this seal, J''"- =S' '364-
and there is a curious deed of Oct. 17, 1394*, in which he Charter 319:
repudiates all writings sealed since his loss, and himself j'elycs.
makes use of the seal of the Deanery of Repton in its place. = Gresiey
He died before Easter 1396 ", having outlived his only son ^^'"'''^'' 3+^-
Ibid. 35
SaItSo(
Sir Nicholas.
Sir John was twice married : first in about 1345 to Alice 74-
de Swinnerton, perhaps a grand-niece of the Sir John de
Swinnerton who abducted her husband's grandmother, and
a niece of the Sir Roger who claimed wardship of her
husband against the Earl of Lancaster in 1334 ''. She occurs ' ibid.xi. 52.
as his wife in 1346-7"' and 1348-9'^, but died soon after, "Gresiey
leaving an only son chartui. p 39.
*' ^ « Ibid. p. 42.
Nicholas, born about 1345-50 (see p. 50).
Sir John's second marriage was of great importance to
the fortunes of himself and his descendants. Before 1352 he
married Joan ^ the widow of Sir Thomas de Wasteneys, r Crcsiey
although she had taken a vow of chastity on the death of p^^^'^'i-''/^'* ''
her husband, and had received the usual ring and mantle Coiton rand
in token of it, so that her marriage required a papal man- 339,' and
date and penance for its allowance. The great Coiton ^-apIrRe^gl's"'^
estates of the De Wasteneys had been entailed on Sir ^.'^''^-t^^'''^'"^
-' 111 (ed. Bliss,
Thomas and Joan for life with remainder to his sons 1897), p. 561.
William, John and Thomas and their issue, but none of the
three had children, and almost the whole estate came into
the possession of Joan, then Dame Gresiey. The young
brothers De Wasteneys probably resented the second
marriage of their mother and the transference of the property
to a Gresiey: and in 1363'' and 1366* we find William and \Sait Soc
Thomas sued for stealing swans from Sir John de Gresiey Parker's
at Rugeley : but for more than 250 years from this time the ^ ° '°"' J'' ^'
Gresleys were Lords of the Manor of Coiton and held the xiii. 54.
E
5<J
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Chap. III.
* Pedigree
in Gresley
Chartul. p. 5
Parker's
Colton, p. 72
' Salt Soc.
^ Gresley
Charter 355.
• Parker's
Colton. p f
cf. Salt Soc
xiv. I. 233.
' Salt Soc.
xiii. 17.
»> Gresl.
Charter 301
Salt Soc.
Ibid. I. II
Advowson of the Church. Joan's maiden name was Toly,
she being the daughter of John Toly '' of W3'mondham in
Norfolk (?): and it would appear '^ that she had first married
Sir Richard Peshall, for in 1396 Adam Pesale son of Joan
wife of John de Grisele, and Nicholas his brother, are
indicted and outlawed for breaking into Drakelowe and
stealing money and plate : but neither of the Toly nor of
the Peshall family at this time do I readily find any connected
account. Her will'', written at Drakelowe, dated May 23,
1393, and proved Dec. 28, 1393, is printed in full in Parker's
Colton, 2nd edition, p. 106. She desired to be buried at
Braceborough (' Brassingborough ') in Lincolnshire, and left
legacies to the Prior of Gresley and (her grandson?) Thomas
de Gresley. Her death clearly took place in 1393, and she
left no children by Sir John de Gresley, unless possibly
a daughter Thomasine, for whom see p. 56.
A William de Gresley ' Esquire ' occurs between 1363 *
and 1397, at which date he represented Nottingham in the
Great Parliament, but I cannot find the nature of his con-
nexion with the Gresleys of Drakelowe.
Sir Nicholas de Gresley, Kt.
{b. abt. 1345-50 : d. abt. 1380.)
He was undoubtedly the son, and not the brother, of Sir
John, as is clearly proved by Gresley Charters 301 and 318 :
the date of his birth must have been between 1345 and 1350.
As early as 1361 Nicholas occurs, being indicted with his
father for trespass'' at New Hall, but the case was dismissed.
The line of Gresley must have been in some danger of extinc-
tion when the young Nicholas, an only child, in September
1362 obtained letters of protection » as starting for Gascony
in the retinue of the Prince of Wales, but before May 1364 ^
he had married his step-mother's daughter Thomasme de
Wastenej's, thus doubty securing the Colton property to the
Gresley family. In 136I we find him as Sir Nicholas serving
with Prince Edmund Plantagenet ', and again in 1370 as with
Sir Walter Huwet^'. But he died in his father's lifetime,
Sir Nicholas de Gresley (x) 51
some time after May 1374'', and certainly before June 1389, Chap. hi.
when we find his widow married ' a second time. k Cr^v
The wife of Nicholas was Thomasine de Wasteneys, the Charter 327.
sole heiress of the Wasteneys of Colton, Braceborough, coiton^pp.
Carleby, Osgathorpe, &c., and the daughter of Sir Nicholas's '°3"'*-
step-mother, thus : —
(deS
Alice -p a. Sir John de = .Toanna ^ i. Sir Tho
(Tol
wife of Sir
Thomas: 2nd
wife of Sir
John)
Wasteneys
Sir Nicholas = Thomasine
de Gresley (de Wasteneys)
(sole heir) (sole heiress)
The marriage was before May 1364 (see above). Almost
the only fact that we know of Thomasine's hfe apart from
formal grants, is that Colton Church was decorated in her
time with frescoes in the chancel, which survived until 1851
and of which some drawings are reproduced in Parker's
Colton (2nd ed. : opp. p. 188). Among these are at least two Coiton.p. 105.
illustrating the life of St. Nicholas, and we can hardly doubt ° 'bid. pp.
that they were painted for Thomasine in memory of her „ cres^iev
husband of that name. ciiarter374,
Before June 1389, however, as we have seen, she was CoUon,p.357.
married a second time, to Sir Hamon de Peshall, but no ^ "'.'\^-,f
children of this marriage are recorded, and even after it stan notes as
she is called Thomasina 'de Gresley' in 1398™, 1390° and "^°"'',
•> ^^ ' J='=' q Gresley
1403°. Between the latter year and July 1405 she must Chartui. p.
hi- 1 . 47 ; Salt Soc.
ave died ". H ^^^^ ^f.
The children of her first marriage were : — ^°9-
Thomas, born about 1365, see p. 52. ' ' ^^' ^■''
Roger de Gresley, who lived at Church Gresley p, called Robert in Dugd. D. i.'
a pedigree in the Gresley Chartulary (p. 5). He is probably the Roger t grit Mus.
de Gresley concerned in deeds of 13871 and was an executor of his MS. Add.
father's will in 1396 ^ In 1400-1 he held half a knight's fee by right of ^^9^' f"'- 4i9.
his wife under the Earl of Warwick', and occurs also in 1403-4, but died " S'aiTordsh.
before 1414*. We know" that he, 'of Church Gresley,' married Isabel (Wol'ferst^n
de Timhorn^ (Tamhorn ?), and that their daughter and heiress Margaret addns. 1764).
married William Babthorpe (Attorney General, 1420 29), of Elston in ' Gresl.
Leicestershire, and had a son William. Chartui. p. 5 .
E 2
CHAPTER IV
THE GRESLEYS IN THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH
CENTURIES
XI
" Gresley
Chartul. p. 47.
" Staffordsh.
P- 537-
' Nicolas'
Agincourt
(1832) p. 380.
<» Nicolas, as
above, p. 356;
Bodl. MS.
Ashm. 825,
p. 14 : Gen.
Wrcttesley
strated its
unauthentic
character.
Sir Thomas de Gresley, Kt.
(b. abt. 1365 : d. abt. 1445.)
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the Gresleys were
wealthy landowners with influence and position in all the
three counties which converge near Drakelowe. Sir Thomas
was probably born about 1365, but first occurs in 1392 when
he was already married. In 1394-5 •'' his grandfather Sir John
grants him all his manors in Derbyshire, Staffordshire,
Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and York-
shire. In 1399 begins his series of public appointments,
when he became Sheriff of Staffordshire and is first
mentioned as Knight. Seven times he represented Derby-
shire or Staffordshire in Parliament, the former in 1400
(but the Parliament never met), 1405, 1414 and 1417, the
latter in 1413 and 1419. Besides this he was in about 1400
Master Forester of High Peak, according to Erdeswick'',
and Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1422 and 1439, and of Derby-
shire in 1426. He was presumably therefore a Lancastrian
in his views.
In the French expeditions of Henry v Sir Thomas and his
son Sir John took their part, the former furnishing in 1415°
three men-at-arms and nine archers, and the latter two men-
at-arms and six archers: and they were almost certainly
present on the field of Agincourt (Oct. 25, 1415), although
their names do not occur in a'^ roll professing to enumerate
the English army.
Sir Thouias de Grcslcy (xi) 53
Perhaps Sir Thomas's high estimation in his neighbours' Chap. iv.
eyes may be as well gauged by the guardianships ^ trustee- » BritMus.
ships*' and arbitrations e which were entrusted to him, as by ^ggg' ^1'^ 308 .
any other test. These however, and his public services did Had. 506,
. . . P- 252 ; cf.
not secure him from a long bill of complaints'" made against Sait .xvii. 26.
him by the Abbey of Burton in about a. d. 1400, chiefly ' ^'i'Y^j
relating to minor points of tenure and alleged trespasses. Co.xs Derb.
He died between 1441 ' and 1446-', probably nearly at the i lo^'^cf.^a/:''
latter date. It is clear that he was in favour with the xv^''"-xvn
Lancastrian nobles, but his descendants were staunch 59-
Yorkists. His armorial seal is attached to Gresley Charter ^J""g g^"'
376, and is reproduced by Jeayes''. h cresiey
His wife was Margaret daughter of Thomas Walsh of "Charter 363.
Wanlip in Leicestershire, who occurs as his wife as early ^camb.) ms'.
as Easter 1392 \ and was alive in 1421, when she was the 529. '0-28.
recipient of a legacy by her mother Katherine's will™. Their mortem iv.
issue was : —
I. John, see p. 54.
" On pi. 2,
where 370 is
an error for
MS. Ha
2044, fol. 30.
Gresley
2. Geoffrey, of whom hardly anything is known: he occurs in 1433" 376-
and 1439 «. 'SaltSoc. :
199.
3. Jane, or Joan, nurse to King Henry vi. She married Thomas m Abstract
de Astley Esq. of PatshuII in Staffordshire, who was descended from ^^rjt.^Mus
the last of the Toenis. Henry vi was the only son of Henry v and
Katherine of France, and was born at Windsor on Dec. 6, 1421. He
succeeded as King on Sept. i, 1422, and probably Joan Gresley was the Charter
Royal nurse from his birth until Easter 1424. The fact is known from o ibid. 417.
the Proceedings of the Privy Councils, which on Jan. 16, I42f-, 'con- p Edited by
cesserunt Johanne uxori Thome Astley nutrici Regis annuitatem xl Sir N. H.
librarum percipiendam quamdiu Regi placuerit in Scaccario suo ad Nicolas, m
terminos Pasche & Sancti Michaeiis per equales porciones, et quod ^f_ iv.'is'i. '
prima solucio fiat [in festo] Pasche proxime ' : this pension was con-
tinued at least till 1433, but she did not die till 1452-3*!. The nurse's , Parker's
office was supplemented when the King was only two years old by Colton, p. 119.
a governess, Dame Alice Botiller '', who was given powers by the , p^Qj-^gj.
Council to teach the King and even 'resonablement chastier de temps ings, as above,
en temps, ainsi come le cas requerera.' Possibly Joan was selected by iii- i43. cf.
the Earl of Warwick who was her third cousin. '5'. 2 4-5-
I know of no other 'Joane daughter of Sir Thomas Gresley' who
could have married John Browne'* of Morfe, son of Thomas Browne y -/[Yf, "^
and Alice (ne'e Banesterj : their issue was, William, Thomas (who had Harl. Soc.
issue) and John (who married Anne Fitton and had issue). xxviii. 90,267.
54
The Gresleys of Drakclozve
' Ussher's
Croxall p.
146.
xu
' Gresley
Charter 387 :
Parker's
Colton, p.
361 III Hen.
4 = Sept. 30,
1409, to Sept.
29, 1410).
" Gresley
Charter 396,
4. Margaret, of whom nothing is known except that she became the
first wife of Sir Thomas Blount [d. 1456), and the mother of Walter first
Lord Mountjoy.
5. Another daughter of Sir Thomas seems to be mentioned in the
inscription of a monument which till about a.d. 1700 was in Croxall
Church. Of this there are two independent transcripts, one in Bodl.
MS. Dodsw. Ixxxii, p. 49 {= Reliquary xii. 219) (A), and a second with
a drawing of the monument and inscription in St. Loe Kniveton's
papers (now Lord Scarsdale's) made about two hundred years ago, and
reproduced in R. Ussher's Croxall (1881) pp. 5-6 (B) : of this latter there
are corrections in Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 5809, fol. 69*, printed in Cox's
Derbyshire Churches iii. 360 (C). It is instructive to notice by comparison
how difficult it is to copy such an inscription accurately : in the following
text the facsimile in B is taken as a basis. ' Hie iacet lohanes Curson
Armiger Dominus de Croxhall qui obijt iiij die Aprilis ['8 . . . ,' a piece
torn off, A : '8 Kal. Aprilis,' which must be wrong, see below, C] anno
Domini ['Domini' omitted, A] mccccI cuius anime propicietur Deus
Amen [this clause omitted, A] Et Jnnocentia [' Senchia,' A : ' Seachia,'
'Sarache' C] uxor eius filia Domini ['Domini' omitted, C] Thome
Gresley militis [' militis ' omitted. A].' At the parents' feet are five sons
and three daughters, and Ussher remarks that it is curious that John is
on Senchia's left, she on his right. She 'is represented in a long gown,
with deep sleeves turned back at the wrists.' In John Curzon's Will ',
dated Apr. i, and proved May 19, 1450, his wife's name is given as
Senecha. The marriage is stated by Ussher to have taken place in
1422-3. But Senecha is a very curious name even as a contraction of
Innocentia, and rather suggests the Spanish Sanchia which came into
the Gresley family at about this time through the Blounts, see pedigree.
To add to the confusion a Derbysliire pedigree based on the Visitations
(printed in the Genealogist N.S. vii. 73), gives her name as Anne ! The
Spanish name is not unknown in English historj', King John's wife
having been Sanchia of Provence, while it is found in the Carew"
family.
Sir John Gresley, Kt,
(occ. 1410 : d. 1449.)
Sir John only survived his father for about five years, and
so -we naturally do not find much recorded of him. He
probably married in 1409 or 1410, for in 11 Hen. 4 some
trustees "■ grant to him and ' Elizabeth Clarell ' (see below)
a rent at Colton. In 1415 he shared in the French wars
with his father (see p. 52), and was a Knight as early as
1413'', and represented Derbyshire in the Parliament of
1422. In 1433-4 Sir John was returned as one of the
Sir John G res ley (xii)
leading gentry of Staffordshire, who were sworn to keep Chap. iv.
the peace for themselves and their retainers, but no doubt
he was himself a Lancastrian, his sister having such close
relations with the King. We catch one more glimpse of
his activity in a list of the retinue of the Duke of Bedford in
1435=', as 'John Gresley Knight Bachelor,' but the Duke «R.s. xxii.
died in September of that year. John died on Jan. 17, 144I, ^' "^^ '
according to an Inquisition post mortem '' which states that ' inqu. post
he held no lands of the King in Nottinghamshire or Derby- ^°2: cf. Edw.
, • Jones Index
shire. to Records
Sir John's wife was Elizabeth (not Margaret) daughter of (Menioranda\
•^ V o ' o Gresley
Sir Thomas Clarell of Aldwark, Yorkshire, by Matilda charter 425.
daughter of Sir Nicholas Montgomery. Her Christian coko^V
name cannot be doubted in view of Gresley Charter 387 ^ 364-
which appears to be a marriage settlement of the two, ch^rtukry^
though Elizabeth is not expressly called the wife of John : ^J^^^^^
the date is 1409-10. Elizabeth's name is also given in Coiton,p.36i.
pedigrees in Brit. Mus. MSS. Harl. 4630 (p. 94) and Add.
553° (PP- xxvii, cii), and she had a sister Margaret.
But confusion has arisen in the pedigrees and Visitations
from it not having been seen that Sir John married a second
wife whose name was Margaret \ There can be little doubt * Heisby's
that she was a daughter of John Norwood a merchant of Cheshire!.
Coventry, and was three times married, i. to Thomas f^^Ls^"^
Massey, son of Sir John Massey of Tatton in Cheshire by ^R^'lr^J'^^-^'
Alice (Worselay) : this first husband died without issue manuscript
Aug. 24, 1420: 2. to John de Delves (son of John), who had Nk-hoi?
first married Philippa who died in 1420: John died in April ^i^-^'^ff'^f'
1429: 3. to Sir John Gresley in 1440-1. She survived her Bodi. ms.
third husband, and occurs at least as late as March i, I44l^ foil. 343,^352',
Of Sir John's children it may be assumed that all were ^'''*- ,
. . . *■ Gresley
by his first wife, from considerations of date. Their names charter 425.
were :—
1. John (born 1418), see p. 57. ' R- Ussher's
2. Nicholas, who occurs in 1450"= as a witness (' Nicholaus Gresley ^^^^^ '
senior '), and once more in 1455 >* in connexion with some riotous a grit. Mus.
proceedings which will be noticed in the account of his brother Sir MS. Add.
John. 4611,101.176.
56 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. IV. 3. Katherine, who is only mentioned as having married Sir William
~rVv7- reto« (occ. 1430, d. 1464-5) who was a son of William de Peto (d. 1406-7)
wickshire, 2nd ^y J°3n daughter of Sir John Thornbury and subsequently wife of
ed., p. 342, cf. Sir Robert Corbet. William and Katherine had a son John, born in
347 : cf. Salt about 1434 (d. 1487-8), who in 1453-4 married Eleanor Mantfeld.
It is possible that this Katherine had previously married John Cawar-
' Shaw's den', of Mavesj-n Ridware, before 1426, and had a son John and several
Staffordshire other children by him : but as her husband survived her and married
a Chetu ynd secondly Margaret Boteler and did not die till July 8, 1475, there is
MS. some unexplained mystery. Possiblj- there were two sisters Katherine,
or conceivably a divorce.
4. Thomasine ? This lady is very difficult to place with certainty.
She was certainly married to Hugh Wrottesley, who was born on
e Staffordsh. Sept. 14, 14008: and the marriage was before 1421, for in that year she
VtsU". 1583: occurs in Katherine Walsh's Will as 'Thomasine Wrottesley''.' Hugh
Visit" is6q •' '^'^'^ '"^ ^4^4 ^"'^ Thomasine on Dec. 25, 1480. Thomasine is definitely
Cheshireliiqu. affirmed ' to be the daughter of Sir John Gresley, but was she daughter
post mortem of this Sir John or of his great-grandfather whose second wife died in
^ '^"' ^' 1393 ?
MS "^Harl"^' ^^ ^'^^ '^ daughter of the present Sir John, the difficulty is that we have
2044, fol. 18* seen above that he was probably married in 1409 (not before Sept. 30)
°^ 30- or 1410, so that Thomasine could not have been born before 1410 and
' Burke's would have married before the age of twelve. Also it is odd that
(I^clreitil'a?^ Katherine Walsh should have singled out this one great-grandchild
count of the and child-wife for remembrance in her will, the only other Gresley
Wrottesleys) : mentioned being her daughter.
v[s°it"^on569 ^^ ^^^ '^ daughter of the elder Sir John, there are no less difficulties.
&c. He was married before 1347 and seems to be holding property in 1328
and so was probably born not later than the latter year : if so,
Thomasine who died in 1480 would be a child of his old age. But we
know of no issue of Sir John's second wife Joan, and if there was we
must suppose Joan to have had two daughters by different husbands
each named Thomasine. And how can we account for Joan making no
mention of this Thomasine in her will.'
On the whole I believe that Thomasine was daughter of the second
Sir John and married when verj- 3'oung, as is not unparalleled. If the
authorities had shown any variation of her father's name, one might
have inclined to believe her the daughter of Sir Nicholas or
Sir Thomas.
For Thomasine's children see the Wrottesley Pedigree, which is given
at greater length than usual on account of its long unbroken male line and
also of its certitude, the latter quality being the result of the researches
of Major-General the Hon. George Wrottesley.
At this point may be mentioned William de Gresley,
a monk of Newby Abbey in Lincolnshire, afterwards Abbot
Sir John Grcslcy (xiii) 57
of Beauchief Abbey, who died in 1433 at the latter place, Chap. iv.
and was commemorated on Jan. 2. He was perhaps of the
Greasley family of Greasley in Nottinghamshire, and the few
iacts known about him may be found in Pegge's and Addy's
Beauchief Abbey, the Reliquary vii. 197; Brit. Mus. MSS.
Cotton Calig. A. viii, fol. 4, Wolley Charter 1. 14 = Add. 6667,
fol. 673; Bodl. MS. Dugd. 39, fol. 12.
Sir John Gresley, Kt. xiii
{b. 1418.': d. 1487.)
We now come to the Gresley who had to face the
troublous times of the middle of the fifteenth century.
Hitherto the family had been Lancastrian, but the present
Sir John, though evidently not a strong partisan, certainly
on some occasions threw his weight into the Yorkist scale,
even before the success of that cause was at all ensured
or even \\Vii\y. It would seem that conviction gradually
overcome his natural allegiance to the Duchy of Lancaster.
We have no record of Sir John until his father's death
on Jan. 17, 144I, when the son and heir was thirty years
oldJ: so he was born between Jan. 18, 141J, and Jan. 17, ^ inqu. post
141 1. He seems to occur as a witness on Jan. 21, 144I'': ^ ^^ ,'
and there are indications that in March 1449' he had just Charter 430.
succeeded to his father's property. As early as 1450 he parker's"^"
represented Staffordshire in Parliament, as also in 1453. Coiton, p. 364.
In 1451 he is styled Knight" for the first time. In 1453 he ■" Tutbury
was Sheriff of Derbyshire with Nottinghamshire. But the chaner^sos.
state of the kingdom allowed no one of position to be neutral
or quiet, and Sir John was soon in the thick of the tumult.
First there were private quarrels between Sir John in
common with his brother Nicholas and their retainers, and
Sir William Vernon of Haddon Hall, with Roger his brother
and their servants and tenants. Many hard blows were
exchanged, as appears from a singular award " dated Sept. 12, " Gresley
1455, and arranged by Humphrey Stafford first Duke of serp^rkeKs
Buckingham. The Vernons had land at Seile, which is only Bolton, p. ii6.
58 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
a few miles from Drakelowe, but we have no record of the
actual causes of the feud. The award is a delightful docu-
ment, not only from its judicial insistance 'that the seid
Sir William and Sir John shalbe full frendes and of frendely
deljmg, and pardone and leye aparte either to other all
maner aggrugginges and Rancoure of herte,' but chiefly
from its precise assessment of the injuries actually done.
The compensation paid to 'Annes that was the wife of
John Herte which was slayne at Burton by the seruauntz
of the seid Sir William ' was twenty marks. For a sore
wound on the head or face 13s. /^d. is exacted, for ordinary
strokes 6s. Qd. or 105. : but a sore stroke on the leg ' the
bonne striken asunder with a bille' costs 405., while a stroke
on the foot, though only 20s., yet ' if it growe to a mayme '
is 1005., as is also a maim on the hand or thumb. How
far the award appeased strife we do not know, but the
intermarriage of the grandchildren of the two combatants
must have been a final seal of amity. The disturbances had
been serious enough to move the King to issue a mandate"
ceTciings, vi. ox\ the I2th of July preceding the award, summoning Sir John
p^i.x'xT '' '^^' Gresley and Roger Vernon to Westminster to answer for
their ' riotous assemblies.'
But all personal affairs were merged in the larger conflict
between the two great Houses. It is clear that Sir John,
in opposition to the family traditions and the practice of his
father and grandfather, took up arms against the King in 1452,
on the side of the Duke of York : for he is one of the two
p Pardon Roll thousand or so who were pardoned ■* for it in the same year.
6[m°embr!'i''."' I^uring the Campaign of 1455, ending with the Yorkist
victory of St. Albans on May 23, he may have remained
I Proceedings neutral, since on May 14 1 of that year, when the Duke of
Councii.Tif York was actually in arms against the King, we find Sir John
pp. 242-3. appointed a Commissioner for raising money for the relief
of Calais both in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. It would
' Camd. Soc, seem that he concealed his Yorkist sympathies for several
S04. ' 3'ears, for according to Gregory's Chronicle'' he was one
Pri
Sir Jolin Gresley (xiii) 59
of the seven who were dubbed knights on the very day of, Chap. iv.
and immediately before, the fight at Blore Heath on Sept. 23,
1459. It is possible that, as there had been no actual
declaration of hostilities, and as that action was after all
rather of the nature of a severe skirmish than a pitched
battle, Sir John was still with the King at Eccleshall and
knighted in order, if possible, to retain his wavering fidelity.
If he fought at all on that daj^, as he probably did, for five
out of the seven new knights fell in the melee, it must have
been on the Lancastrian side, and in accordance with this
policy is the fact that on March 20, 146^, he gave some aid
to four Lancastrian soldiers hurrying to the North, for which
he was not pardoned till Dec. i, 1471°. At the former date » Coram
Edward iv had been proclaimed but not crowned King, and ■\:f^a.j°i^ia.
until the battle of Towton on March 29, 1461, his position
was not assured.
It may be here recorded that in 1459 we find the more
peaceful note that Sir John and his wife were elected
members of St. Mary's Gild at Lichfield*, and in Sept. 1460 « Harwood's
that he represented Derbyshire in Parliament. ^o^^ cf. 405.'
When once Edward iv was established on the throne,
Sir John undoubtedly showed himself a Yorkist and
accompanied the King on his expedition to Scotland in
Dec. 1462": and we naturally find him in all the Com- " Chron,
missions of the Peace till 1470, Staffordshire being in general n.s,
a Lancastrian county, so much so that the Earls of Warwick '^''"
and Shrewsbury, Sir John himself, and his two relations,
Sir Walter Wrottesley and Sir John Stanley were almost
the only non-official magistrates in the whole county. It is
noticeable that he was also in the Commission of the Peace
of 1470-1 during the brief revival of Lancastrian power,
but this was of course due to the supreme influence of the
Earl of Warwick at the time, and not to any change in
Sir John's political views. In 1474-5 he was a party to
the covenant '^ by which several persons of distinction bound " Printed in
themselves to defend the Yorkist Lord Hastings against all agelsSj'^."
enemies. Probably the large share of Lancastrian fortunes
Soc.
6o The Greslcys of Drakelozve
received b}' the latter or his quarrel with the Woodvilles
made him form this bodyguard of friends, but even the
renewal of this bond in 1481 ^ did not avail to prevent
Lord Hastings' execution in 1483, during the brief reign of
Edward V.
In 146? there were serious disputes between the Abbot
and Convent of Burton and Sir John Gresley about lands,
I Gresley rents and fisheries, which were referred^ at this date to the
arbitration of George Duke of Clarence, but the issue is not
known. A remarkable claim by Sir John in 1469 may show
that he knew the pedigree of the De Wastenej's for many
generations. Rose Wasteneys, sole heiress of the Wasteneys
See Parker's of Tixall ^ had married Sir John Merston, and in conjunction
with him sold the manor of Tixall which had been in her
family for over 300 3'ears. No less than eight generations
intervened between Rose and Sir Geoffrey de Wasteneys in
the twelfth century, the younger brother of Sir William
Ibid. ped. de Wastene3's of Colton ", whose descendant after a similar
series of eight intervening generations was Sir John, who
now claims to be next of kin to Rose! She indignantly dis-
claimed the connexion, but whether the lady's protestations
or the Knight's learning prevailed, is not known, though
the probabilities are in favour of the former,
's. Bentiey's Sir John was one of the numerous gentry present at
Historica the Coronation of Richard iii'' in July 1483, and even ac-
(1831.., p.384. companied Henry vii in his first progress to the North in
Mss. Add." the spring of 1486'', but died on Jan. 31, 1484'*.
His wife was Anne Stanley, daughter of Sir Thomas
Mus. Stanley of Elford, and the marriage must have been not
n that year :
Their issue
Charter 440.
Colton, p. 404
and pedigree
opp. p. 412 in
that book.
opp. p.
6669, fol. 515;
6710, p. 3.
<> Brit. Ml
jIi^^u^b"'^!, later than 1455, since the eldest son was born in that year :
Collectanea waS : —
is" where" I- Thomas (born 1455), see p. 61.
|Agnsley'is ^ Elizabeth, who married Thomas Montford of Kingshurst and
res ey. 5^^(QJ, Coldfield. Some confusion has arisen from the common assertion
Chartei^449, 'hat this daughter of Sir John Gresley married Sir Simon de Montfort,
Parker's who was put to death in 1494, and was the father of Thomas. He
Colton p 367. n^^j-fied Anne (Vcrney) and so the name of Anne has been assumed to
Sir Thomas Gresley (xiv)
be that of Sir John's daughter: but the Visitations of Warwickshire and Chap. IV.
Essex do not allow the point to be doubtful : see pedigree. Thomas and
Elizabeth Montford had a son Simon who married i. Joyce Ruggeley
and 2. Anne Longford, and had issue.
3. Alice, who in 1478 married John Egerton ofWrinhill, son of Hugh.
An abstract of the wedding contract, previous to the marriage and dated
18 Edw. 4, (which began on March 4, 147J) is in the Gresley Chartulary,
p. 57, and a grant'after the marriage is dated Dec. 20, 1478''. They had ' P. R. O.,
a daug
Hugh.
4. Thomasine. The Gresley pedigrees and evidences do not mention ^.P'^'l^'f^ ,
this daughter, but there is sufficient evidence that 'Thomasine daughter p f^^ '
of Sir John Gresley ' married John Darell '> of Scotney, a son of h Hasted's
Thomas Darell by Florence, tie'e Chicheley, a daughter of the great Kent ii. 380,
Archbishop: see pedigree. Their children were Henry, Agnes and '■'•^^■^5.;
Florence. This Thomasine cannot ' possibly be the Thomasine daughter jj^^s 1569 and
of Sir John Gresley noticed on p. 56. 1614.
I The In-
There is some evidence that Sir John married a second quisition on
wife, Emma fifth daughter of Sir Ralph Hastings, see 1%^ dis- '"
pedigree. This is stated by Nichols [Leicestershire iii, p. 608, p™^''^^ "•
n. 7), and ColHns [Peerage, 1812, vi, p. 649) who cites ' MS.
St. George praed.' But the fact cannot be regarded as
established: Sir John's first wife was alive in 1481, and he
died in 148a.
Sir Thomas Gresley, Kt. xiv
{b. 1455 ? : d. 1503.)
Sir Thomas was thirty-one years old J at his father's death J Bnt. Mus.
on Jan. 31, 148?, and was therefore born between Feb. i, 6710, p. 3;
145I, and Jan. 30, 145!. The first mention of him is on ^^^- '^°'- ^'S-
Nov. 30, 1471, when he occurs as a witness in a grant'" to >• Gresley
his father. As early as Dec. 1477 he represented Stafford- ^'^ ^^ '*'*'■
shire in Parliament, in his father's lifetime. In 1488 we first
find him as Sir Thomas Gresley, Knight, when he received
a Commission ' with others in December to provide archers ' Rolls Ser.
from Derbyshire for service in the King's army in Brittany : '^' ^' ^
in the same year he is admitted, as his father was, a member
of St. Mary's Gild at Lichfield". In spite of his Yorkist "."s^d""'^'^
traditions he was twice Sheriff of Staffordshire (1489-go and ci8q6;,p.4o8.
62 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. IV. 149-7-8), and on the former occasion, in Mich. T. 1490,
- Rolls Ser. rcceived ;^ioo by writ of Privy Seal ° as a reward for his
ix. 2. 562. services as sheriff. It speaks well for Sir Thomas's prudence
and quietude that he escaped all complicity in the various
Yorkist risings in the reign of Henry vii, and that he seems
to have preserved his large estates intact in a time of so
many illegal exactions and confiscations.
As he is one of the earliest Gresleys whose birth we can
fix within a year, so he is the first of the male line whose
» Prerog. ct. will is extant". It is in English, dated 'Jan. 25, 1503,' and
and^Bodl''MS. was provcd on Apr. 26, 1503, so that probably the first date
Y^°'^^''^; fr''''' 's i5°3 ^ exceptionally : he died therefore in the first half
York Reg. of 1503 (possibly 1504). The chief provisions are that he
Index Libr .v: bcqueaths his body to be buried 'in the Monastery of
239- Greisley before the High Awter the fader,' gives orders
about his funeral, and makes some money bequests to the
Priory and the Canons. There are mentions of the marriage
contract of his son William with Benett Vernon, of ' Elyn
and Marj' my ij daughters' unmarried, his other sons 'John,
George, Robert and James,' and his wife ' Dame Anne ' who
is his executor with the Prior.
His wife was Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Ferrers of
Tamworth Castle, she being a first cousin of her husband's
stepmother, see pedigrees of Ferrers and Hastings. It is
interesting to see the ancient connexion of the families of
Gresley and Ferrers thus renewed, and not for the last time,
as will be seen. She survived her husband, and proved his
will on April 26, 1503. Their issue was :—
1. William (born about 1475), see p. 64.
2. John, born in 1481 or 1482, a Clerk in Holy Orders. In 1499
1 P.-irkcr's John Gresley, Clerk, being then aged seventeen, had a Papal dispensation i
Colton, p.200. to hold benefices without stint, and was made Rector of Colton '', but
■■ Ibid, pp. resigned that position in the following year^ and apparently went to
I ig, 199- Oxford. For this is no doubt the John Gresley who took the degrees of
« Ibid. p. 199. g_ (3iy_ L_ and B. Can. L. at Oxford on July 7, 1507 '. On Dec. 31, 1506 ",
' Oxf. Univ. he was admitted Principal of White Hall, that is to say, (apparently)
'^''^' White Hall in Cheney Lane (Aula Alba major, in vico Catenarum)
Ca'^c^O^on ^^'^ '•^^ adjoining White Hall (Aula Alba minor, super muros), and also
■q, lol. a'. " Pery Hall : but he (' magister Johannes Grasley ') resigned his position
Str Thomas Gresley (xiv) 63
on Feb. lo, 1504", though he continued to Hve in White Hall till at Chap. IV.
least March 150*^. One of the same names was Warden '^ of Ruthin
Hospital, CO. Denbigh, in 1512, and was presented on April 12 of that ' Reg- Cur.
year to the living of Norton in Hales y, co. Salop. A John Gresley of q JqI gr
'Stapnell ' (Stapenhill) helped to draw up an inventory of the goods of „ n^jj ^^j
Anne Gresley in 1555, see p. 67 : but it is very unlikely that this was 87', cf. 71',
a son of Sir Thomas, for if John had not died before his elder brother 72', 73% 80'.
William, that is to say before March 10, 152J, he would presumably ^ Foster's
have succeeded to the Gresley estates, instead of George ; although in Oxon
earlier centuries his orders might have debarred him. , g^jj j^jg
3. George (born 1494), see p. 65. ?'''n''^*V'
ir. Dugd. E. I.
4. Robert occurs as a trustee on Feb. 10, i5?o', and in 1518-9 received ^
the manors of 'Oskethorp' (Osgathorpi " and Donisthorp from his Charter 463.
brother George. It appears that he was married and had a son George, a Gresley
for the will of Dame Katharine Gresley, his sister-in-law, dated 1572, Chartulary, p.
mentions 'George Greisley, son to Robert Greisley ' : a George Gresley ^^ : Nichols,
also was buried at Gresley cum Membris '■ on Oct. 8, 1591. Robert not ;;;_ gg^
being mentioned in the will was probably dead in 1572. b Gresley
5. James does not occur in the Derbyshire Visitations, but is known '^S-
from those of Staffordshire, and was the defendant in two law-suits ° of ° Due. Lane.
1519-20 and 1531-2. His will'' dated May 30 (proved June 17I, 1536, '• 'S*-
shows that he was ' of Hanbury ' and possessed a house at Blithbury : '' At Lichfield,
also that his wife Katharine ® was alive, and a son George and another y^^^^ ^,jj' ^
son and daughter. The probate farther proves that his wife had had „ 5^,^ ^-^^^
a son 'Thomas Blont' by a former husband, and the accompanj'ing Due. Lane. i.
inventory of his goods (which is dated Apr. 28, 1536) indicates that his i54-
position was that of a gentleman freeholder at Hanbury.
6. Elizabeth, whose name does not occur in either the Derbyshire or ' Gresley
Staffordshire Visitations, is also the only child not mentioned in her Chartulary,
father's Will. Perhaps this indicates that her marriage was against her ^' '
father's wishes. Of her existence there cannot well be doubt. She o.sVxv^T;
married f first Sir John Montgomery (who died in 1513) and had Cox's Derb.'
issue g by him :— Ellen, who married Sir John Vernon of Haddon Hall : ^hh. ni. 92,
Anne who married Sir John Browne of Snelston : and Dorothy, of ' ^ ^'
Cubley, who married Sir Thomas Giffard of Chillington •>. Elizabeth j^^gg. will'^''
married secondly, before (probably long before) 1536 , Sir John Giffard ' , ^^. ..
of Chillington, whose first wife died in 1491, but he himself not till 1566. MS. Harl. "
Their issue J was at least a daughter Frances who married Sir John 1187,101.94:
Talbot of Grafton f. Sir John Giffard had first married Jane Hoord, and ^';hm°''8 "''''
their son Sir Thomas Giffard married, as we have seen, Dorothy p. 35.
a daughter of his second wife by her first husband, exactly as had j Reh'quary,
occurred with the De Wasteneys and Gresleys, see p. 51. as above ;
7. Ellen, mentioned in her father's Will, and at that date (1503) a- 54, 58:
unmarried : she subsequently married Sir Nicholas Strelley '' as his ' See pedi-
second wife, but had no issue. gree.
64 TJie Grcslcys of Drakeloive
Chap. IV. 8. Mary, mentioned in her father's will, and also at that date un-
■ married : she is probably the ' Maria daughter of Thomas Gresley
See pedi- Knight,' who married Thomas Forsteri, the third son of Richard Forster
of Evelith by his wife Margaret daughter of William Selman of Morton
in Staffordshire, where the Gresleys had for a long time held property.
XV Sir William Gresley, Kt.
{b. abt. 1475 : d. 1521).
The eldest son of Sir Thomas seems to appear first in
■" Due. an Inquisition post mortem" dated '27 Hen. 7.' This must
inqu. i, p. 6. of course be an error, perhaps for 20 Hen. 7 (1504-5) : in it
'WiUiam de Gresley' accounts for the eight manors of
Gresley, Lamberton, Linton, Ashby, Byldeston, Norton,
-SaitSoc. Swatlington (Swadlincote), and Lullington. A fine" levied
Mus! M.S " in 1519 shows that he then held the manors of Drakelowe,
^^'^■^^V' P: Lullington, Castle Gresley, Linton, Oakthorpe, Donisthorp,
Coiton, p. 120. Colton, Kingston, Morton (Norton?), Hixon, and Tutbury-
Woodhouses ; as well as sixty messuages, and about three
thousand acres of land in Staffordshire ; and also the manors
of Osgathorpe and Morton in Leicestershire, Seaton Ross
in Yorkshire, and Brasingburgh, Carleby and Boston in
Lincolnshire. There is no reason to suppose the above lists
exhaustive, but even so, they exhibit clearly the wealth and
position of the Gresleys of Drakelowe at the beginning of
the sixteenth century.
Sir William was a member of the Inner Temple at London,
p inder\vick's and we find that in 1505 and 1510 he was elected p a Marshal
R "c'o'rds''i"^ " of that Society for the Christmas feast, but in each case
i8^^2^o' ^^' "' refused to perform the duties of the post and was fined £\o—
which he probably did not pay, for in 151? when Sir William
was now a Knight and had distinguished himself in military
« Ibid. p. 39. service abroad, the Parliament of the Society « thought it
well to pardon him all ' offices, amercements and pensions
past' (a singular collocation) for a fine of four marks, which
was paid.
There can be little doubt that he served in France and
Flanders in the campaign of the summer and autumn of 1513,
and was present at the Battle of Spurs (Aug. 16) and the
Sir George Gresley (xv)
capture of Terouanne (Aug. 22) and of Tournay (Sept. 24). Chap. iv.
On the 14th of October his services were rewarded by knight-
hood ■■ at the King's hand at Lisle. He did not however enjoy "■ Metcalfe's
. . ' . Book of
a long Hfe, having been born probably in about 1475, while Knights
his death took place on March 10, 152J'. His autograph s\epheif^^'
signature (' per me Wyllj'am Greysseley squyer ') and seal glover's
occur on Gresley Charter 463, dated 10 Feb., 15^^ : this is Derby i
the earliest Gresley autograph I have met with. p' 5^,^.' ^''''"
He married Benedicta daughter of Sir Henry Vernon' coUo^n'p 120-
of Haddon Hall: the contract before the marriage, between cf. aninac-
the fathers of the bride and bridegroom, is dated 1496-7 " : ment in
but there was no issue. This alliance must have cemented o.'s'.''xT'^66.
the friendship between the two families, which it may be » Brit. Mus.
hoped began, or was renewed, after the award of forty years ^^^^1%^.
before (see p. 57). ' See pedi-
By Alice Tawke Sir William had four sons (Thomas, ^'"'^' ,
■^ . " Gresley
Edward, Humphrey and Antony) and possibly a daughter chartuiary,
Ursula: all these assumed the name of Gresley, and their oniyV "^^'^
mother, who married Sir John Savage, disputed the suc-
cession of Sir George Gresley to the family estates, but an
award of Cardinal Wolsey is still extant '', dated Trinity Term ' Gresley
1525, which decides against her claim. Lady Savage died ^ ^^" ''^^'
in 1549'". Thomas was living at Milverton in 1577'': of was proved
Edward we know nothing: Humphrey probably died in i5H^: , ^^ !^' '^*''
Anthony was alive in 1548 % and was the progenitor of Topogr. viii.
a family of Gresley* or Grisling at Saltash in Devon and ^°*'.'^'^^^'
Willingham and Laceby in Lincolnshire (the Gresley was proved
Christian names which occur are William, Tohn, Thomas, ^-"''Sss-
' •' ' ' ' Gresley
Ambrose, Ursula, Elizabeth, and, by marriage. Rose). Other Chartuiary,
names mentioned in Lady Savage's Will are ' Anne Gresley ^'J'^' , , .
-' ° -^ " Lincolnshire
my daughter in law ' and ' Gylis Gresley and his sister Visitations,
Katherine,' but of these I know nothing. 1592.''^"
Sir George Gresley, Kt. X'V
(b. 1494 ? : d. 1548.)
Sir George succeeded his brother William on March 10, ^,^"'-,'f"^-
* ' MS. Add.
152 V, and was twenty-six years old at that time: he was 6710, p. 58.
66
The Grcsleys of Drakelozvc
' Brit. Mils.
MS. Cotton
Claud. C. iii,
•i Notes of
some familyes
of -Stafford-
shire, pr. ill
Collectanea
Topogr. et
Geneal. iii
(.1836% 339.
- Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
6710, p. 133;
Add. 666q,
fol.631; Harl.
756, fol. 491.
' Reg. of tlie
Prerog. Ct. of
Canterbury,
e Staffordsli.
Visitation,
1583.
>■ See also
Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
6671, p. 56.
' Staff. Visita-
tion, 1583.
i At Liclifield.
Index Libr.
vii. a 1 8-9.
k Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
6697, fol. 488.
Admission
Register.
born therefore between March 11, 149!, and March 10, 149*.
The award of Cardinal Wolsey by which he was confirmed
in his large estates has been mentioned. Few facts of his
life are known, except that he was made a Knight of the
Bath^ at the Coronation of Anne Boleyn on June i, 1533,
and that he was twice Sheriff of Staffordshire (in 1537-8 and
1544-5, in the former case being described as ' of Kny-
persley'). Leland •• records (presumably in about 1540) that
' Sir George Gresley dwelleth at the Mannor place of Coleton,
and hath a greate parke there vpon Trent a mile lower then
Haywod; hee hath vpon Trent, a mile lower then Burton
Towne, a very fayre mannor place and parke, at Draykelo.'
He died on April 21, 1548^ his WilF being dated April 19,
1548, and proved on June 16 following. He desired to be
buried in Gresley Church and left everything to his wife
Katherine.
His first wife was Margaret » daughter of John Mulsho
of Thingdon or Finden in Northamptonshire, by whom he
had two children, William and Katherine. The marriage
must have been before 1524. Their issue was : —
1. William (born 1524), see p. 67.
2. Katherine, who married Edward Winter of Wortliington in
Leicestershire. In Sept. 1555 they execute a quit-claim to Sir William
her brother of some lands given to her father, Sir George, in trust for
her in 1537. Both were alive in 1572, the date of her stepmother's will :
for their issue see pedigree.
Sir George married secondly (and, to judge by dates below,
in about 1530'') Katherine' one of fifteen children of John
Sutton Lord Dudley, by whom he had two sons and three
daughters, as below. She long survived her husband, for her
WillJ is dated April 22, 1572, and was proved on April 12,
1574, so she died between the two dates. There is also an
inventory of her goods at Drakelowe taken March 7, 157?.
She desired to be buried in the chancel of Gresley Church
' with or neare unto my . . . late husband,' and left numerous
small legacies to her relatives. Her children were : —
3 (i). Edward, who was perhaps a co-trustee as early as 1534'', was
admitted to Gray's Inn ', London, in 1550 : a letter from him (of 1559?) is
Sir IVilliam Gresley (xvi) 67
in Lord Bagot's possession"". He was buried on April 4, 1594°, at Chap. IV.
Alrevvas, where he had lived for some years. His monument, in- ^ "
correctly described by Shaw, was re-discovered in 1854, when the Comm. iv.
church was restored. His wife was Anne Corbet, and they had issue, 332.
see pedigree iv. R^'.T^ot
4 (2). Elizabeth, who married Charles Somerset (the marriage license ~^^3. as
is dated July 29, 1557°) : both were alive in 1572 p, and they had issue, Staffordshire
see pedigree xlvii. i. 135.
» Notes on
5 (3). Thomas, a puzzling personage. A Thomas Gresley married Nichols'
Jane i daughter of Elizabeth Beaufo of Milverton : yet a Gresley also Gresley Pedi-
married an Alice'' daughter of John Beaufo (who d. 1516) by Elizabeth. Wolferstaii. '
Again a Thomas Gresley married Dorothy' daughter of William p Her
Dethick of Newhall : yet a good pedigree' states that Francis Dethick mother's Will.
. , . , r\-- ^ ^ , A • 'T-i. r- 1 " Dugd. War-
married a daughter of Sir George Gresley. Again a Thomas Gresley ^vjckshire, p.
of Criche married an Elena ^ to whom administration of his goods was 189: her
granted at Derby 1598. These marriages I cannot at present disentangle, mo'her s WUl
but it is a crowning defeat to find that Dame Katherine Gresley, this ms! Dugd. ii.
Thomas's mother, in her Will of 1572, leaves legacies to the six children i, p. 80.
of her son Thomas hy Margaret 'his supposed wife'! Thomas seems ^ .^^'"^''•
to have resided chiefly at LuUington, and was alive in 1551" but died jg^^.
before April 1572, the date of his mother's Will. See pedigree v. see p 156.
6 Bodl- MS.
6 (4). Anne, of whom we know nothing except her Will *, which is Wood F. 23,
dated July 31, 1551, and proved May 19, 1555: there is also an inventory "°- =48;
of her goods on May 31, 1555. Her mother is sole executrix. n!^S%^^ '79.
7 (5). Elinor, administration of whose goods was granted on Jan. 27,
155! y, to Edward Gresley her brother as against William Gresley her in Q
half-brother. ?°"-;°-'''")
Mb. F. 24..
" His sister Anne's Will. » At Lichfield. ? Prerog.
Ha
(Clarencienx)
Sir William Gresley, Kt. X'Vi
(A. 1524?: rf. 1573.) ^Strype's
Memorials
The eldest son of Sir George Gresley was aged 23 on (1822) iii, pt.
April 21, 1548, when his father died, and was therefore born Mac'hyn's
between April 22, 1524, and April 21, 1525. On Oct. 2, 1553, ^Jn'so^'c^xm)
Knight ^ in the Queen's presence at Westminster, being MS. i. 7, foi.
thirty-second in a list of ninety. He, Sir Simon Harcourt «*Actsof
and two others were deputed by the Privy Council* on Pr^^'y Council,
Jan. 19, 155^,10 levy, furnish and lead three hundred (18931, p. 244.
68 The Greslcys of Drakelowe
Chap. IV. Staffordshire men for service at Berwick, to check a
threatened Scotch invasion, and in 1561-2 he was High
Sheriff of Staffordshire : but on the whole Sir Wilham seems
to have led a quiet and uneventful life. He added to his
large estates, not only by his marriage, but by obtaining
Charter 484 ; a couvcyancc from Lord Berkeley '' of all his lands about
"uves oHhe ^ Drakclowe, including the manors of Rosliston, Coton and
Berkeieys ii Lintou. His death took place on May 24, is?'^'"-
(1883), p. 357. . ^ , J t> OID
<■ See p. 74: Probably in 1548'^, possibly a little earlier, he married
but May 23rd Katherine, daughter of Sir Edward Aston of Tixall, and she
in Brit. Mus. . .
Mss. Add. survived her husband till at least 1576", but was dead on
6669I foi^64i. Sept. g, 1585, when administration ' of her goods was granted
•> Gresiey to her soH Thomas.
Charter 478.
" Parker's Their issuc was : —
Colton p. 123.
' Lichfield I- Thomas (born Nov. 3, 15521, see p. 69.
Act. Book, 2 Simon, born between Nov. 25, 1560 and Nov. 24, 1561, for on
Nov. 24, 1581, when he and his younger brother matriculated together at
readily find Merton College, Oxford, he was aged twenty, and his brother fifteen : but
any account neither took any degree at the University. He married, i. Anne eldest
of this family daughter of Thomas Wood esq. of GrowteyS (by whom he had no
arms^were, on issue : she died on April 21, 1591, and was buried at Staunton in
a bend three Worcestershire'', where her monument still is, with verses to her
fleurs de lys. honour). 2. Anne daughter of Humphrey Dixwell Esq. of Church
•> Nash's Wor- Over in Warwickshire, widow of Edward Broughton Esq. of Longdon
ces ers ire 11. .^ Staffordshire, who was alive in 1610' : for their issue see pedigree vi.
' Fin 1 C n This Simon has been the cause of some errors : he is called Stephen in
cord of Easter the Staflbrdshire Visitation of 1583, and is actually on the Aston monu-
1610, owned ment in St. Mary's church at StaflbrdJ recorded as the husband of
N Vf Grei- Katherine Aston, his mother! A Simon Gresiey also married Anne
ley. Hetherington'' at St. Dunstan's in the West, London, on May 28, 1587,
s Bodl. M.S. but, assuming this to be correct, I know nothing of either, unless Anne
Ashm. 853, Wood married firstly a Hetherington, and secondly Simon Gresiey.
P- '•*'• From Simon's Will in the Prerogative Court of London, dated Jan. 4,
163!;, and proved June 14, 1637, and Sept. 30, 1647, we learn that he
resided at the close of his life at Appleton (part of Great Budworth
Brit Mus. parish) in Cheshire, and that his second wife was buried at Great
MS. Harl. Budworth, where he also desired to be buried.
61
23'.
Coll
Topog
214
3. Hastings, born between Nov. 25, 1565, and Nov. 24, 1566. see above:
Her Will but little is known of him, except his matriculation at Merton. He
at Lichfield married Elizabeth' widow of William Francis of Foremark, she herself
'^roved'"i'n hieing a daughter of William Francis of Ticknall, see the Burdet
1635. pedigree: she was for the second time a widow in 1635™. Her daughter
Sir Thomas Gresley (xvii) 69
by her former husband married a Burdet and was the mother of Bridget Chap. IV.
Burdet who married Thomas Gresley son of the first Baronet.
Next follow four daughters, whose relative order is as below, but some
of whom may be older than their brothers, and one of whom probably
married William Horton Esq., as he is called in Sir Thomas Gresley's
Will 'my brother-in-law': he was probably one of the Hortons of
Catton in Derbyshire.
4. Jane.
5. Mary occurs as a god-parent on Jan. 9, 1585°. n Burton
6. Elizabeth died without issue. S," '.■"'^"'
Register.
7. Grace, who married Sir Thomas Wolseley of Wolseley in Stafford-
shire, and thus connected what were probably the two most ancient and
honourable families in the district: but she had no children. It is
perhaps not quite certain whether Grace or her sister Mary married
Sir Thomas : whichever did so died before 1598.
Sir Thomas Gresley, Kt. XVU
[b. 1552 : d. 1610.)
As he was 20 years, 6 months and 20 days old at his
father's death on May 24, 1573, he was born on Nov. 3, 1552,
but it is noticeable that he was not sent to Oxford for
education, although his younger brothers and eldest son
were sent there. In fact the ' fashion ' of sending the young
nobility and gentry to the Universities was only just coming
in under the influence of Queen Elizabeth, who turned to
her Universities when she desired public servants either in
Church or State. As Sir Thomas was still a minor when
his father died, he had to obtain from the Crown when he
came of age (the deeds are dated June 16, 1574) a grant of
his own wardship and marriage, and the Court of Wards and
Liveries required a schedule of all the property concerned,
two copies of which are now at Drakelowe ° : see p. 74. ° Gresley
Sir Thomas's public career began when he was Sheriff of sI'Tr")?. ii
87-
Staffordshire, in 1583-4, and an eventful year it was for him. '^^"t ^I^'
' ^ ^ ^' J Add. 6710, ]
Mary Queen of Scots had been staying at Sheffield, but 238; 6669,
towards the close of Sir Thomas's year of office it was Hari.''75'7, p
decided to remove her thence to Wingfield and so to '35-
Tutbury Castle. Her retinue, though reduced, was large
enough to cause considerable embarrassment and trouble,
70
The Greslcys of Drakclozve
r Printed in
Shaw's Staf-
fordshire i,
appendix pp,
13-17, &c.
1 Hist. MSS.
Comm. iv.
the Castle not being suitably furnished and by all accounts
a cold and damp place for an invalid Queen. The corre-
spondence p between Sir Ralph Sadler, to whom the Queen
had been entrusted, and Secretary Walsingham, a relative of
Lady Gresley, is a vivid picture of the labour and anxiety
involved in the move to Tutbury. One expedient for making
Tutbury comfortable was to transfer from Lord Paget's
house at Burton (or Beaudesert?) some 'household stuff,'
including the valuable hangings on the wall : for that house
was being dismantled in consequence of its owner's with-
drawal to France as a suspected Roman Catholic ready
to aid the Scottish Queen. As early as Dec. 18, 1583,
Sir Thomas, or ' Thomas Gresley Esquire ' as he then was,
had received an order '^ to take an inventory of Lord Paget's
goods both at Burton and Beaudesert, and it appears that he
not only did so but under authority sold some hangings of
value and some beds to 'Mr. Digby' and 'Mr. Ferrers.'
Now these hangings were exactly what were wanted for
Tutbury! Accordingly after an order of Nov. 7, 1584, to
convey Lord Paget's household stuff to Tutbury, the
hangings were enquired for, and found to have been sold.
The crisis was acute when the Queen of Scots moved from
Wingfield to Derby on Jan. 13, 1581, and reached Tutbury
Castle on the following day. The fact that ' x peces of
hangings which wer in my L. great chambre' had been sold,
and the Queen's complaints of her cold welcome at Tutbury
reached Queen Elizabeth's ears, and she in much displeasure
sent an emphatic message on Feb. 18, 158I, that the hangings
were to be recovered. The ex-sheriff did his best, and
recovered eight pieces from Ferrers, but nothing from
Digby. Matters at last quieted down, and when Mary's last
journey to Fotheringay took place, Sir Thomas was ordered
Erdeswick's to attend her '. The details are well known, how she was
given opportunities for complicity in Babington's conspirac}',
was arrested at Chartley, was removed to Fotheringay on
Sept. 25, 1586, tried on Oct. 14-15, and executed on Feb. 8
following.
Staffordshire
P- 533-
Sir Thomas Gresley (xvii)
That Sir Thomas was a leading man in pubhc affairs in Chap. iv.
Derbyshire and Staffordshire, is evinced by his captaincy of
the Derbyshire Horse " for many years, and the frequent » Hist. mss.
mention of him in connexion with musters and levies, as in gj",""' d. ""''
1587', 1588", 1595 ^ i|2ff", i6op. He was also Sheriff of ^'599'-
Derbj'shire in 1591-2, and 1603-4, and Deputy Lieutenant 267,376^°'
of the county in 1600 y. At last he was rewarded by James i, ■> Cox's Derb.
in his progress from Scotland to London, with Knighthood, cf"i'i.Vo2,\o4.
conferred on him at Worksop on April 21, 1603 ^ ' Derb. Arch.
It is to be feared that these public services involved °'^-''™-33.
*^ " Ibid. 40.
Sir Thomas in debt : at any rate he was the first Gresley , jbjd. 42-5.
who set the example of selling any of the larger estates of ? Co.^c•s Derb.
the family. His father had sold the distant Wasteneys ^ ""' '' f,?*?"
-^ . Metcalte s
manor of Braceborough *, but now the son, with the consent Bk. of
of his son George sold the manor of Colton '' on June 2, 1609, j^o.^ ^''^'
to Sir Walter Aston for ^13,000: and seems also to have " Brit. Mus.
disposed of his land at Blithbury", Kingston '', Callowhill* 6671, p. 51.
and Loxley^ and some perhaps elsewhere. '' ibid p. 53.
He died in Sept. 1610, being buried at Gresley" on the c.liton'"^ ^26
6th of that month. His WilF is dated July 20 in that year d g^jt soc.
and was proved on the Oct. 26 following : Dorothy Gresley ^^'- '3'-
his daughter was the sole executrix. Reg.'^^ '^^
Sir Thomas Gresley seems to have been married three ' Prerof?.
Court of
times : first, in about 1573. to Elizabeth eldest daughter of canterb.
Tames Harvey'* citizen and merchant of Lime Street in '*^''.'' ?'"^-
•' -' MS. Add.
London, and as Sir Thomas's second wife had a family of 6671, pp.
eight before 1585, the first wife must have soon died : she ^j,^ p. i^."^ '
certainly had no children by Sir Thomas.
Reg.
Walsingham of Beadhay, Kent, and Scadbury in Stafford- i> cresiey
shire. She was baptized at Chiselhurst^ in Kent on Ian. 8, ^If' ^ „
f^ . . ' Norfolk
i^ll, and must have married early, for she was buried on Visitations,
Dec. 18, 1585, at Gresley '', and had had eight children. \^^_ '^''^'
The third wife (after 1595) was Mary, illegitimate daughter J 'Coiiins
of Sir Richard Southwell of Woodrising in Norfolk. She Seymour's
had already married three times', i. Henry son and heir D°urypcdi?^'
of Sir Thomas Paston : 2. (in 1573) Dr. William Drury-*, gree ms.'
72 The Grcslcys of Drakclozve
Chap. IV. a Master in Chancery, who died on Dec. 15, 1589, and was
buried at St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish St., London: 3. Robert
Forde, D.C.L., who died in 1595. Mary herself, who seems
to have had no children by any of her husbands, died in 1622.
She is not mentioned in Sir Thomas's Will, and was buried
in the same church as her second husband.
The children of Sir Thomas Gresley by his second wife
were : —
I. Katharine, who married first Francis Dethick Esq. of Newhall,
a great-nephew of Dorothy Dethick who married Thomas Gresley,
see p. 67 : secondly Sir Bartholomew Hales of Snitterfield, and thirdly
Edward Gibbs, who died in about 1633-4. Katharine herself died
between April 10, 1635, the date of a codicil of her Will, and Aug. 6, 1635,
' In the when it was proved ''. She was distinguished from her next sister by
Prerog. Court being called Katharine of Kent 1, having perhaps had part of her mother's
burv'"^'" property in that county settled on her. She perhaps had a daughter
1 jyjg QYiet- Elizabeth by her second husband "'.
wynd 2. Katharine, the second daughter of that name, who was the first
?5 ."^'^'^.^ ", , wife of Sir Richard Harpur of Swarkston (who afterwards married
Staffordshire Katharine's first cousin Elizabeth, see ped. vi) : he died in April 1619.
P- 217- She was sometimes known as Katharine of York'.
ra Warvv. 2 Henry, the eldest son, was probably born in 1579, since he was four
,5,__ ' years old in 1583°, and was fifteen years old when he matriculated at
" Staff, and Balliol College, Oxford, in Nov. 1594. He supplicated for the degree
Derb. Visita- of B.A. on May 27, 1597. but died in the following year and was buried
of 1503- at Gresley on Sept. 16, 15980.
George (born 1580: the first Baronet), see p. 80.
5. John, probably born in 1581, since when matriculated at his eldest
brother's College on Jan. 20, 159J, he was aged 16. He married Joan
daughter of Jasper More of Larden in Shropshire, and in 1613 was
p Matric. living in Shrewsbury P. From him descended the long line of Worcester-
record of his shire and Bristol Gresleys, whose fortunes are traced in chapter vii of the
son Henry. present work. A John Gresley was buried at Gresley on Nov. 18, 1623"'.
6. William was born in 1583 or early in 1584, since he was nineteen when
he matriculated at Gloucester Hall, Oxford, on Jan. 28, 1603. He may be
the ' William Gresley ' who wrote a motto in Bodl. MS. Digby 230, fol. 224.
7. Dorothy was born on Aug. 28, and baptized on Sept. 11, 1584, at or
' Burton Reg. near Burton on Trent "• : she married (after 1609') Sir Alexander Barlow
" Her father's of Barlow Moor in Shropshire, who died in 1642, a Roman Catholic':
Will. Dorothy was his second wife, and survived him.
' Cheth. Sec. 8. Walsingham, the youngest child, was perhaps the most distinguished.
Ixxv, p. 46. j^g ^gg born in the summer or autumn of 1585, and entered at Gloucester
Hall, Oxford, on the same day as his brother William, Jan. 28, 1605,
aged 17. In 1619 he was employed on foreign service on behalf of the
Grcsl. Reg.
1 Gresley
Reg,
Sir Thomas Greslcy (xvii) 73
King, being attached to the British Embassy at Madrid, whence he Chap. IV.
writes a poUtical newsletter" to Sir Thomas Pelham on 'Jan. 22, 1619 '
(i6^j;?). At about the same time he was despatched to Sardinia to ° Cartwright's
demand the restitution of a British ship ^ seized by the Viceroy of that ^''^^^er,
island, but was himself taken on the way by Turkish men of war and e. Shirley's
carried a slave to Algiers. He seems however to have returned safely Stemmata
to Spain, for on Dec. if, 1622, he sends Spanish news" to Sir Robert gnj'^Jj^"^'
Seymour, but was apparently passing from England to Spain again in p. 283;'
March or April 1623^. In Aug. 1623 y he was again despatched to E.Shirley's
Madrid on an important mission about the Spanish Match, but by the g^Qt'liers
February following he had returned to London^. In Jan. 163;} there is (Roxburghe
a long letter" from him describing the arrival of Viscount Wentworth in Club, 1848),
Ireland as Lord Deputy, and the ceremonies which attended it. But P" '"
shortly after he died, on Oct. 28, 1633, at Sherborne, and was buried Lr(j?sg'"^'
there on Oct. 30, as the Sherborne Registers show. It is singular that Epistolse Ho-
his monument (see below) gives a wrong date. No doubt his employ- elianae (1892)
ment on public service was partly due to his mother being related to PP' '^®' '°^-
Sir Francis Walsingham of Elizabethan fame : but it is clear also that he Ijs AHH "^'
found a life-long patron in Sir John Digby the first Earl of Bristol, zqp';;^, fol. 60:
whose diversified life and long political connexion with the Spanish cf. Hist. MSS.
Court are well known. There is not evidence enough to show in detail ^°"""- "ii,
the relation of Walsingham Gresley to the Earl, but it is expressed in x.'pt. 4J p. '
general terms on the Gresley Monument at Sherborne, the inscription 388.
on which runs 'Hie iacet Walsingham : Gresley . . . qui lo: Com'-': ' Hist. MSS.
Bristol : apud exteras nationes domiq: prosperis, et adversis : amore ac Comm. vii,
fidelitate inservivit in cuius rei memoria hoc ei monumentum posuit,' the Bnt. Mus.'
date of his death being given as on Nov. 4 (not 14), 1633, and his age as MS. Add.
forty-eight. He was never married. 33084, fol.
The above order of the children is certainly correct. Erdeswick's
-^ Staftordsh.
P- 218.
y Epistol.-c
It may be here mentioned that J. Payne Collier, in his (1892, pp.
New Particulars regarding the Works of Shakespeare (1836), ^ '
p. 65, mentions some verses signed ' W. Sh.,' four of which « Printed at
(beginning 'The fruict that is to earlie gotten ') are supposed
to be spoken by ' M'' [Mistress] Gresley,' but the reference
is not known.
The Law Reports give an account of ' Greisley's Case ' in
Trinity Term 30 Eliz. (1588) in the Common Pleas, which
was a question of the right of distraint in the manor of
Kingston, of which Sir Thomas Gresley was Lord. Re-
ferences to the Reports containing this case will be found in
the Rcpcrtoriiun Jundicnm (1742), p. 31, and elsewhere.
3. 70.
74
The Gresleys of Drakeloivc
Vxl".
NOTE A.
(See p. 69.)
The extent and clere yerelye value of all the Lordshippes Manners
Landes tenementes and heredytamentes Late of sir WiHiam Gresley
knight deceased the xxiiij''' daye of maye Laste paste before the fyndinge
of the office &c. And which bene discended and commen in possessyone
and revercion to Thomas Gresley esquier sonne and heyer of the said
sir William beinge of the age of twentye yeres sixe monethes and
twentye Dayes at the deathe of the said sir Wylliam As by an office
thereof founde at Derbj'e in the countye of Derbye the seconde daye of
September Anno decimo quinto domine Elizabethe Regine &c. appeareth
videlicet
Comitatus Derbiensis.
' The Manners of Drakelowe and^
Caldwall with thappurtenaunces in the
countye of Derbye and dyverse Landes
tenementes rentes and heredytamentes
with thappurtenaunces in Drakelowe
and Caldwall Staplehill and Walton
vpon Trent parcell of the said m
of Drakelowe and Caldwall are holden
of the quenes Maiestie as of her honor
of Tutberye by knightes seruice that is
to saye by a whole knightes fee and
are by yere aboue all charges
Comitatus StafTordiensis.
'The Manor of Colton with thappur-\
tenaunces and Dyverse Landes tene-
mentes and heredytamentes in Colton
Colwiche Newland and Blytheburye ) xxxvj"
are holden of Edward Lord Stafibrd
per seruicium ignoratum and are by I
yere aboue all charges
The Mannor of Kmgeston with thap-
purtenaunces and all Landes tene-
mentes and heredytamentes in Kinge-
ston Leeshill and Loxley are holden
of Henrye Erie of Arundell per que
seruicia ignoratur and are by yere
aboue all charges / 1
' [ill niaygin] In the possessyone of the ladye katheryne Gresley widowe late
wief of sir George Gresley knight decessed for terme of her lief in the name of her
ioyntor.
' [iH margin'] In possessyone of the Ladye Katheryne Grcilcy widowe Late wicf
of sir William Gresley knighte for terrae of her lief.
Vxlviij".
Sir Thomas Gresley (xvii)
75
Comitatus Derbiensis.
xiij". vj'. viij'*.
with all and singuler thappurtenaunces
ys holden of the quenes Maiestie in }• xv''
chief by knightes seruice and are by
yere aboue all charges ■'
' The Manner of Castle Gresley with \
thappurtenaunces in Castle Gresley I
with thappurtenaunces and Duran-
thorpe alias Donasthorpe ys holden of \
the quenes Maiestie as of her honor
of Tutberye by the sixte parte of a
knightes fee and are by yere aboue all
charges
The Manor of Lolington alias Lulling- ,
ton with the appurtenaunces in Lull-
ington and Walton vpon trent is holden
of the quenes Maiestie as of her honor
of Tutberye by knightes seruice and are
by yere aboue all charges
The Mannor of Rostlaston with all \
and singuler the appurtenaunces in
Lynton ys holden of Humfrey Ferrars I .,j
esquier as of his Manor of Walton vpon
trent by fealtye and rent of vj'^. and are
by yere aboue all charges '
The moytie of the Manor of Overseale \
and Netherseale with thappurtenaunces
are holden of the Quenes Maiestie in Vxiiij".
chief by the xl"^ parte of a knightes fee
and ys by yere aboue all charges ''
Comitatus Staffbrdiensis.
The Manors of Moreton and Huxton'
with all and singuler thappurtenaunces
and dyverse Landes tenementes and
heredytamentes with thappurtenaunces
in Moreton Huxton alias Hyxton and Vx". xvj°. viij''
Adinaston are holden of the Lord Pagctt
as of his manor of haywood per serui- I
cium ignoratum and are by yere aboue I
all charges /
iiijix". iij'. iiij''.
' {in margin'] Whereof the Manor of Gresley in the countye of Derbye the
manors of Sloreton and Hixton Landes and tenementes in Ncwiand Cohviche
Admaston Leeshill Loxley Bromcshoulse Kingeston Calohill Grynley and Blithc-
bury in tlie countye of Stafford arc assured to ihusc of the said Thomas Gresley and
76 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
' Dyverse Landes tenementes and \
heredytamentes with thappurtenaunces
in Tutberye and Tutberye Woodhousen
are holden of the quenes Maiestie as of \
her honor of Tutberye by knightes
seruice and are by yere aboue
charges
SummaTotalis ciiij iij''. iij=. iiij*. whereof the heyer was ioynte purchaser
of Landes to the value of xiiij". by the yere and so remayneth to
the heire in possessyone and Revercion Landes to the value of
clxix''. iij8. iiijJ.
Letter from Walsingham Gresley describing Lord
Wentworth's Arrival in Dublin, Jan. 1635.
(See p. 73 : printed from a MS. which was recently in the possession
of Mr. J. E. Cornish, bookseller, of Manchester : see also
Hist. MSS. Comm. iii. p. 211.)
Syr, wee are now vpon our returne to the North, and I hope this will
bee the last tyme I shall write to you from hence, and therefore had
I not bine surprised with the suddaine departure of this Messenger
I would haue written more at large. My lords of Essex and Cromwell
with theire good Company arrived here on Satterdaie last, and were
mett 5 myles off and brought in with greate state by the lorde Justice,
lord Primate, and all people of quallitie that were about this Towne, and
the highwayes and streets especially soe thronged with people to see
him, that hardly could the Coaches passe, I thinke his Father in all his
glory here was not more ioyfuUy received, which wee thought was
highly expressed in the phrase of the Countrie by an old Irish woeman,
of theires males of his bod.ve laufully begotten and for defalte of suche issue to the
right heires of the said sir Will. am Albo the Manners of loUings alias LuUington
Roselaston and Cooton alias Coott-s and landes in lenton duranstrop alias Donas-
trop and Stapenhill were forfeyted by the said sir William Gresley to James
harvye cytizen and alderman of london and by the same James assured to Symon
harecourte esquier and others to thuse of the said sir William for terme of his lief
withowt ymptchement of waste and after his decease to thuse of the said Thomas
Gresley and of theires males of his bodj'e of the bodye of Elizabeth harvye to
be begotten and for defalte of suche issue to thuse of theires males of the said sir
William &c. Lykewise the moytie of the Manors of Overseale and Netherseale
alias Magna Seale were ioyntlie purchased of the right honorable Walter Erie of
Essex by the said sir William Gr.-sley and Thomas his Sonne and to the heires
of the said Thomas.
' [in mnrgiii I Assured to Edward Gresley for terme of his lief by sir George
Gresley knighte father of the said sir William and Edwarde.
S/r Tliomas Grcsley (xvii) 77
that cryed out aloud ' blest bee the tyme that I Hue to see a Sonne of thie
Father here.'
On the Tewsday followinge the longe expected Lord Deputie arrived
here somewhat early in the morninge, the wynde blowinge stiffe, hee
could not land at the Hoe, where that lord had provided dinner for him,
but was brought by the Shipps Pinnace to Lowhy where hee landed ere
the Justices had any notice of his arrivall, yet the lorde Corke hastned
to meete him, and brought him in his Coach to the Castle, but soe priuatly
that there was not soe much as one peece of ordinance shott off, yet by
that tyme hee came thither, the presse of ordinarie people was such as
theie were forced to pull vpp the drawebridge of the Castle, and his
lordshipp would admitt of noe visitts all that day, but went ymediatly
to bedd to his Lady, whoe vntill that instant had noe other title, nor place
giuen her here but that of Mistris Rodes, although now wee heare shee
was married to him six weekes before hee sent her hither.
On Wednesdaie hee admitted all visitts which were decently performed
by the Lorde Justices, Councel Judges, Nobillity, Captaines, and Magis-
trates of the Towne, which his lordshipp repayed to most of them and to
my Lord of Essex first of all, givinge him place in all places where
theie mett.
Vpon Thursday hee receiued the Sword (not in the Church as is usually
the Custome), some say the reason hereof was because the lord Primate
at the instance of the lords Justices havinge provided a Sermon for that
Solempnity the Archbishopp of this Towne would not giue way to him,
but the true reasone was that his lordshipp did it to avoyd publique
fausto but the Common Voyce is not herewith satisfied, but seemes to
murmer that theire ancyent Customes are by him slighted. Twoe of the
Clock in the Afternoone was the hower appointed for this Ceremony,
and the place was the Councell Chamber. The manner was thus. The
Lords Justices with the body of the Councell came first into the Presence
Chamber, and soe into the Gallery, the Lorde Deputie instantly came out
to them and theie hauinge made a shorte speech vnto him in his eare
whisperinge like ; the Deputie it seemes would haue had them gon
through the Gallery into the Councell Chamber, but the lord Chancellor
told him it was more proper at that tyme to goe more publiquely
thither, wherevpon it was soe agreed, and hee followinge the Lords
Justices, theie went through the presence greate Chamber and soe
through the Courte vpp into the Councell Chamber, where the full
Councell sittinge, the Deputie stood at a corner of the board, whilest
Mr. Wanisford (whoe the day before was sworne Master of the Rolls)
read his commission ; the Lord Mount Morris as Secretarie of State
havinge it in revercion after Sir Dudley Norton whoe may well bee
Invilaid \sic\ read the kings letter to the lords Justices for the deliueringe
vp the sword, givinge reasons for his longe stay and requiringe them to
admininister the oathe vnto him, which hee havinge taken the lord
Chauncellor made a speech vnto him in what state theie now left the
kingdome, noe libell out, or any kinde of Commotion but many things
The Grcsleys of Drakclozve
there were worthie of reformation ; which theie as faithful! Councellors
would at fitt tymes acquainte his Lordshipp with, and soe deliueringe
the Ensignes of his authoritie to the Deputie his Lordshipp held the
sword in his hand [and] sittinge downe in the Chaire of State made a very
good speech vnto the board tellinge them that hee would bee noe
vpholder of Factions amongst them, but should esteeme of them most that
most stroue to effect the kings service, that theie should finde him neuer to
faile of his word. Hee said hee had heard there had bine some distast
taken at the takinge from euery Company twoe for the raisinge of him-
selfe a Troope of horse, and foote, he protested it was not his owne
doeinge ; but when hee was declared Deputie there was neuer a troope
for him, which was the cause hee came not ouer presently. That after
the first Company that should fall hee would promise that the second of
each Company hee had taken to make vpp this should bee restored
back to them againe, and that hee did not meane to appropriate it to his
owne persone, but annex the Company of foote and horse to his place,
that theie might bee as a guard, alwayes to the succeedinge Deputies, and
Lords Justices, for said hee as hee held it vnfitt for a Deputie to seeke
a Company, soe hee thought very vnfitt that after a Deputie were remoued
that hee should still retayne his Companie. Therein hee touched the
lord of Faulkland, whoe retayned his.
Havinge made an end of his Speech he deliuered the kings letter
to bee read for the makinge of the Master of the Rolles one of the
Councell, whoe havinge taken his oathe and his place the Deputie
deliuered his Sword to the Earle of Castell Hauen (which had bine
carried thither before the Justices by a knight) and soe the Justices
followinge him theie returned him the same way theie came and cominge
into the Presence Chamber hee caused them to make a stand, and
cominge before the Cloath of State hee made twoe lowe, and humble
courtesies to the Kings and Queenes pictures, which hang on each side
the State, and fixinge his eye with much seriousness shewed a kinde
of devotion. Then takinge the sword into his hand, hee missed there
a yonge Gentleman his Cozen Danby (whoe is married to the Master oi
the Rolles his daughter), the gentleman cominge out of the Crowd
presented himselfe before him on his knee, and by him Master George
Wentworth the Deputies brother whoe was first knighted, then Danby,
and after him one Master Remington a very yonge Gentleman vnder
yeares whoe hopes to haue his wardshipp thereby, for his father is very
old, and sickly.
Havinge done this hee went into the Privie Chamber, where his Lady
stoode accompayned with the Countesse of Tirconnell, and diucrse
other Ladyes. And here was the first place hee declared his lady to
bee his wife, which was by presentinge her to bee saluted by the
Justices with a kisse from each one. When hee came from the Councell
Chamber all the ordenance of the Castell were shott oft". And this is all
the part of the Ceremony I observed, which I thinke wortiiie of your
knowledge. It is thought on Sonnday next hee will make more knights.
Sir Thomas Gresley (xvii) 79
There is come ouer with his lordshipp Master Phillipp Manwaringe,
whoe theie say shall haue some place here, but I can learne none vacant,
yet guesse it may bee the Secretaries place, for Sir Dudley Norton
beinge a miserable spectacle of mortallitie it may bee will willingly
resigne to him havinge bine formerly fellowe seruants to the late Earle
of Salisbury.
Syr I must desire you to make my excuse to my noble Lord, and
Master, if I write not at this tyme to his lordshipp beinge in such hast.
If there be any thinge herein worthy his lordshipps notion I know you
will present it in a more proper phrase and togeather tender my humble
duty to his lordshipp and service to all at Sherborne. And soe
I conclude with my respects to your selfe, and friends at Loudon,
and remayne
Your affectionate servant
Walsingham Gresley.
{To the Earl of Bristol]
CHAPTER V
THE LINE OF BARONETS FROM 161I TO 1837
XVlil Sir George Gresley, ist Baronet.
{b. 1580 ? : d. 1651.)
Sir George Gresley, the first of the line of Baronets,
was born between Nov. 1579 and Nov. 1580, since he was
aged 14 when he matriculated (on Nov. 22 ?, 1594) at Balliol
College, Oxford. In 1597-8 he was admitted a member of
the Inner Temple, and we hear no more of him until his
father's death in 1610, except in connexion with certain sales
and leases of land, in two of which he is described as 'of
» Parker's Coltou Lodge ^' In 1610 his public career begins at once,
g^J'g'lJ'J'i'go. for he took part in a violent electioneering dispute at Derby*"
and 16081. -with Sir Philip Stanhope.
staffordsh"^^ It was in 1611 that James i, anxious to replenish his ex-
p. 218. chequer, issued a Commission to give patents of Baronetage
to such of the country gentry as would provide thirty footmen
for three years at Qd. a day for the settling of Ulster (equiva-
lent to a single payment of ;i$Ji,095). On them the King
conferred the style and privileges of Baronets of England,
promising them hereditary succession, a limitation in number
to 200, and a rank above all Knights, except K.G's and such
as should be created by the King on the field of battle.
Accordingly eighteen patents were issued on May 22, 161 1,
fift3'-seven more on June 29, and seventeen on Nov. 25. In
this list of ninety-two we find the name of ' George Gresley,
of Drakelowe, Derbyshire, Esquire' twenty- eighth. But
Sir George Gresley (xviii) 8i
even before the end of the year a dispute arose about the Chap. v.
relative precedency of Baronets and of younger sons of
Viscounts and Barons, and among the seven or eight who
were prominent on the side of the new Order Sir George is
mentioned. He was present also at the personal interview
of representatives of the Order with the King in February
i6i|, but the question was at last in May following decided
against them, a kind of compensation being given, to the
effect that the badge of Ulster should appear on their arms
and that all Baronets should take their Knighthood by simple
application at the age of twenty-one— a privilege which lasted
till at least 1874. It is but fitting that in the present year
(1899) the descendant of Sir George should similarly find
a place on the Committee of Baronets which is to define
and defend the rights of the whole body at the present
time.
Sir George must have been in favour at Court, for he was
selected as one of the ten who bore bannerols at Prince
Henry's funeral "= on Dec. 7, 1612. After that he seems to " Nichols,
have generally lived at Drakelowe, occurring as Knight and jamesT^^See
J. P. in 1614'', a Commissioner of Musters for Derbyshire in p- ^s-
1618^ and M.P. for Newcastle under Lyme in the Parliament 2. 341.
of 162I — 162|. It may well be that the scenes he witnessed 1 Fniio ms.,
during these few sessions were sufficient to shake his con- h"ndat^
fidence in Charles I, and not only decided him to refuse to O''^'''^'""'^-
pay ship-money in 1636^ but also, when the great struggle [ ifhebethe_
came, to choose the Parliamentarian side. The ' melior fides' in Cox'roer^.
of his family motto was not touched, for he could con- Annaisu. 112.
scientiously say with Hampden ' Against my King I do not
fight. But for my King and Kingdom's right.'
We have also twenty-one news-letters s on public affairs ' Twelve in
written by him from London to Sir Thomas Puckering Ms''Add?
between May 28, 1629, and Jan. 23, 163I. ^J'^- *°"-
The outbreak of the Civil War in the autumn of 1642 nearly aii
found Derbyshire, outwardly at least, on the Royalist side: Courfand' ^
and the raising of the famous regiment by Sir John Gell in Jh^rierl
that county, with a view to counteract the movements of the ^ee p. 86.
82 77?^ Grcsleys of Drakelowe
Chap. V. Royalist troops, must have been at the outset a great risk.
Of the history of its marches and countermarches from
Oct. 1642 we have three accounts, one ^A True Account)
fc Hist. Mss. extending to February 1643, the second '', also A True
Comm. IX. 3. yi^i~gji„f^ to Sept. 1644, and the third (A True Relation)
reaching to 1646 : the first and third are printed in Noble's
'From Shaw's Glovcr's Derbyshire (1829) i. App. pp. 70', 62. In about
r.'ss.""^ ^"'^'^ October 1642 the first Account relates that 'Sir George
Gresley was now joined with us, the only gentleman of
qualety in this County that cordyally appeared to be on
our side.' The Vernons and Harpurs and most of his
relations were against him, but Sir George held to his
convictions and shared the expeditions of the Regiment as
it passed to Bretby, Nottingham, Uttoxeter, Newark,
Lichfield (during the siege), and Stafford. Its head-quarters
were always Derby, and its practical effect was that on
May I, 1643, nearly all Derbyshire and parts of South
Yorkshire and East Cheshire were Parliamentarian, though
almost surrounded by the King's adherents. In the varying
fortunes of the rest of 1643 ground was lost in Derbyshire,
but within a year more fortune had finally turned, and
Lichfield, Tamworth, Ashby, Belvoir and Grantham were
the only Royalist holdings in the neighbourhood. We have
) Hist. MSS. letters of Sir George of Dec. 24, 1642 J, Nov. 16-' and
Comm. xn.2. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ 164!, and May 26'," and
!■ Shaw's Nov. 21 ", 164S. But perhaps the most graphic account
Suffordsh. i. ^ , . . .-^ . . T^ ■ ■ ^ r , ■ T-> 1-
18. of his position IS in a Petition'' from him to Parliament,
' Sir Geo. of Sept. or Nov. 1644, in which he asks for compensation
i'cTp^'&r ' for losses, his whole estate being four miles from Tutbury,
"> Brit. Mus. five from Ashby and seven from Lichfield, all Royalist
11331,101. garrisons which plundered and wasted his domains. In the
p^88 ^^'^ February following he must have consulted John Lill}-, the
- Ibid. 1133a, well-known astrologer, perhaps on the principle ' Flectere si
^°'\"^" nequeo Superos, Acheronta movebo«'; for an astrological
vii. sfa. ^"' figure set for him on 'Feb. 3, 1644' is in Bodl. MS. Ashm.
436, fol. 104', in Lilly's own handwriting, but the precise
cause of the visit is not stated. At any rate on Aug. 28,
Commons.
Sir George Greslcy (xviii) 83
1645 p, Parliament voted him a sum of ^4 weekly, which Chap^v.
continued till August 20 in the following year p. p journals of
Sir George did not long survive the Civil War, for we find
the record of his burial on Feb. 5, 165°, in the Temple Church
at London, 'in the body of the Church on the Inner Temple
side"*,' i.e. in the nave or central aisle. All traces of it 'Temple
appear to be now lost, and even in the clerestory of the
Church where most of the monuments are now preserved,
there is none which bears his name.
Besides the letters mentioned above we have two specimens
of his powers of versification, one a sonnet ' Vpon the death
of the Ladie Jane Burdett, who dyed March 21, 1637,'
beginning 'He and his Muse' and dated March 23 in that
year': the other a sportive poem beginning 'Jack and Tom >• At p. 18
in heate of youth | Did loue the fayre Astrea'.' Funeral Ser-
He may have had some antiquarian tastes, as he was a "'o"°"'^'^
•J ^ ' occasion
friend of Sir William Dugdale ', and it is even stated that (York, 1650,
the latter owed some of his advancement to Sir George's author was
influential friends. ^stt'c's
The large estates held by the family at the beginning of ms.
the seventeenth century suffered serious diminution in the ' ^'^^'^.^-
time of the first Baronet. Not only was the Manor of Colton Staffordshire
sold in 1609 to Sir Walter Aston for ;£'i6,ooo, see p. 71 above, Wood's Fasti
but the Manor of Rosliston" also, in 1629, was disposed of to 0''°"-;.*^'^-
Sir Thomas Hutchinson for ;£'3,8oo, and a moiety of Gresley n papers at
parish^" to WiUiam Harries in the preceding year. In 1622 Drakeiowe.
his yearly income from Drakeiowe, Rosliston, Nether Seile, Staffordshire"
Over Seile, Lullington, Gresley, Coton and Linton was over P-3o7«-
.^2,500, but within two years the two Manors of Seile passed
to Mr. Morewood for .£"2,560 (fortunately to be recovered
within the century by a marriage with the Morewood heiress),
and nearly thirty smaller properties to various purchasers.
Part of these sales were no doubt due to a debt, partly his
father's, which in 1624 was stated to be £'],o'2-2, but which
was reduced to less than ;£'2,ooo in 1627.
On Dec. 17, 1600, at Walton on Trent, Sir George Gresley
married Susan daughter of Sir Humphrey Ferrers, he. being
G 2
84
The Grcsleys of Drakeloive
" Marriage
settlements of
Tho. Gresley
and Jane
Burdet.
» Walton
Reg.
' Administra-
tion of Sir
Tho. Gresley's
'' Information
from Lord
Hawkesbury.
the great-great-grandson of the Sir Thomas Gresley who
married Anne Ferrers. Susan's brother Sir John Ferrers
had married a Puckering, no doubt a relation of the addressee
of so many of Sir George's letters. The marriage was not
a happy one, for there is a draft of a Private Act of Par-
liament of about 1620, by which it is enacted that in con-
sequence of Dame Susan having ' separated her selfe from
him [her husband] and lyved from him by the space of eight
yeares or thereaboutes,' her jointure should revert to her
husband, and any children 'she has had or shall have' since
the elopement are not to be accounted his. This however
was never passed, and no more is heard of Dame Susan,
except that she was alive in 1622 ".
The Act states that Sir George had five children, but their
relative order is not certainly known :—
1. Thomas (born soon after 1600), see p. 89.
2. Elizabeth, buried at Walton on April 6, 1607 ^.
3. Dorothy, who married Robert Milward esq. of Broadlow, who was
drowned in 1632 y. By him she had a daughter Mary who married
Sir John Bowyer, see pedigree. Dorothy's second husband was Edward
Wilmot, D.D., of Chaddesden : they occur as married in 1642^.
4. A child who died in infancy and was buried at Burton on Trent on
July 28, 1610".
5. Elizabeth, a second daughter of that name, who seems to occur
as the wife of Richard Walcot'', see pedigree: but she probably died
before 1642, as Dorothy was the only surviving sister of the late Sir
Thomas at that date ^.
NOTE A (see p. 81).
' The Magnificent ffunerall of the righte High Mightie ffarr Renowned
& Most Relligious Prince Henrye Prince of Wales Duke of
Cornewall ' &c. Lichfield Cathedral MSS. No. 21, pp. 99-123.
'This Noble Prince Deceafed at S*. James, the (f°- daye of November
Anno domini .1612- And was mofte Princelye Interred wi'hin the
Abbey of Weftminfter the -f^ of December then nexte followeinge w""
greate State and Pompe, as by the Sequell hereof fliall appeare.'
Sir George Gresley (xviii) 85
' Mondaye the 7"' of December (the ffunerall daye) the Representacion Chap. V.
was layde vppon the Corpes . And both togither putt Into an open
Charyott : And fo pceeded as ffolloweth.'
' The Arche Bifhoppe of Canterburye, Preacher.
The Create Embroydred Banner of the Vnion . Borne by the Earles
of Montgomerye & Argile.
An Horfe Ledd, Called Cheualle de dieule, Covered w'^ blacke veluett,
Ledd by a Chife Quyrrye, Mounfieur S'. Antoin.
The Prince his Hatchements of Honor, Borne by Officers of Armes . viz,
The Spurres, by Windl'or.
The Gauntletts, by Somerfett.
The Helme & Creft, by Richemonde.
The Targe, by Yorke.
The Sworde, by Norroye, kinge at Armes.
The Coate, by Clarencieux, kinge at Armes.
The Gentellmen vfhers to the Prince, beareinge theyr wandes.
The Corpes of the Prince, Lyeinge In an open Chariott, w* the
Princes Reprefentacion thereon : Invefted in his Roabes of Eftate
of Purpell velluett, flurred w*'' Ermyne : His highnes Cappe and
Crowne on his head, and his Rodd of Goulde In his hande. And at
his ffeete w'l'in y« fayde Charriott, fate S' David Murraye, y^ Mafter of
his warde Roabe.
The Charriott was Couered w'i> blacke velluett, and garnifhed w*
Plumes of blacke ffeathers : And drawen by Sixe Horl'es Couered,
and Armed w"" Efchocheons haueinge theyr Chifferons and Plumes.
A Cannopey of Blacke veluett, borne ouer the Reprefentacion by Sixe
Barronetts.
Ten BanneroUs, borne by -lo- Barronetts.
viz.
S'' Moyle ffynche S'' Anthony Coape.
S'' Thomas Mownfon S'' George Grefley.
S'' John Wentworth S'' Robert Cotton.
S' Henrye Savyle S'' Lewis Trefham.
S'' Thomas Brudnell S'' Phillippe Tyrwit.
Power Affiftaunts to the Corpes . That bore upp the Corners of y^
Palle . viz.
The Lo: Zowche.
The Lo: Aburgauenye.
The Lo: Burleigh.
The Lo: Walden.
William Seager, Principall Kinge of Armes, Betweene the Gent Vfher
of Prince Charles, and the Gent Vfher of the Prince Pallatine.
Prince Charles Chife Mourner, Supported by the Lo: Priuie Seale,
and the Duke of Lennoxe.'
'So that the whole Nomber Amounted to— 2000- Perfones, or there
abouts.'
The Crcsleys of Drakclozve
NOTE B.
Three Letters of Sir George Gresley.
I.
Sir George Gresley to Sir Thomas Puckering, Bart.
Essex House, January 23, 163?.
That which, at this present, I am able to inform you is the reformation
of the prices of all small acates, the officers of the Green-Cloth having
made complaint that the rates of such manner of provision was grown
so high, that the compounders could not furnish the household with
provision at the rates they then were bound to do. Whereupon, by
the king's express command, the lord mayor hath set forth his pro-
clamation and a rate upon the prices of small acates, which I have
sent my brother Gibbs ; and the price of beef and mutton is to be
taxed also very speedily. The wine customers, as it is said, will
petition the king for a defalcation of their yearly ... or otherwise
they are not able to hold them. But the vintners are so circumspect
to observe the decree, that if you bring meat ready dressed with you
into their houses, they will not furnish you with a trencher and napkin
to eat it. Some of the little innkeepers, as I hear, went to the court,
to petition the king, but were committed to prison for their pains.
And one Mr. Humphrey, a son of Dr. Humphreys which was
president of Magdalen College, in Oxford, is committed to prison for
prophesying that doomsday should be upon Friday come month. The
manner of Sir Francis Nethersole's offence and his comm.itment was,
as it is most voiced, that pressing to have had some speech with the
king, and being prevented therein, he wrote a letter to Secretary Coke,
which trenched too much upon his majesty's person ; the effect being,
as it is reported, that as King James was voiced to be the first loss
of the Palatinate, so his majesty would be voiced the second loss
thereof, if so be he did longer delay to declare himself what aid he
would give towards the restoring the Queen of Bohemia and her
children to their inheritanee : which being revealed by Secretary Coke,
he was sent for and committed to Mr. Trumball, and upon farther ex-
amination concerning his oflfence, and slipping away from Mr. Trumball,
committed to the Tower.
There is some muttering of the change of officers ; as that my Lord
Chamberlain should be lord steward, and the Duke of Lennox
lord chamberlain ; that Mr. Noy shall be master of the Wards, and
the recorder, or Sir John Bankes, attorney-general. But it is most
certain that none but civilians shall be hereafter either masters of
' Laurence Humphif-y, D.D., who died February I, ijjo, at the age of sixty-three.
Sir George Gresley (xviii) 87
Request or Chancery; by which you may smell who looks and hopes
to be lord chancellor.
As for foreign news, I hear not any but a report that the King of
France will set up the Duke of Savoy to make his claim to Milan.
II.
Coppie of S^ Ceo. Gresley e Ire.
S' George Gresleyes Ire from Darby touching the King's motions,
May 2&>, 1645.
I have as yet rec* only too lr& from you y« one upon friday
niorneing dated 20*" May, y" other upon Saturday morning dated 22<i May
y" intelligence of my Lo. Fairefax his not keepeing y" appointed tynie
for y9 Rendezvous at Nottingham caused our Horse to returne whome,
as thej' were in their march thither: yo"^ newes of Coll. Vermuydcn
attending y" r[eturn ?] of y« Kinges army is very true for he himselle
w'li 4 colls more (viz.) Fines, Sydney, Pye and Oky ^N^^ about 3,000
horse and dragoones, quartered in the Towne and in y" adjacent villiages
upon Saterday night last L' Ger^ll Cromwell was at Coventry w"»
them and went from thence w* 1,000 horse and 4,000 foote towarde
Oxford to Joyne ■w^'^ S' Tho. Fairfax, major Gefall Browne, y^ London
auxhill Reg'= and such other forces as y^* asotiated Countrye next
Oxford have lately raised for y" beseiging of that Citty w'^^'' is allready
or will be suddenly surrounded w"" 16,000 Horse and foote at least :
upon Saturday in y^ afternoone wee had certaine intelligence of y"
Kinges forces comeing to quarter Uttoxeter and betweene that and
tutbury that night w'^'> fell out true, for y« King lay at M^ Kniversley
house called Loxley, The two Princes at Uttoxeter and y» rest of
yo Army betwixt that and our Garrison at Barton from whence about
the time of our horse goeing out that afternoone to give us y^ best
intelligence they could, had a skirmish w'l^ 100 ofy'^ enemyes horse
in w'^'' through y® blessing of God wee killed and wounded about
10 of y" enemye, whereof one was L' and wee had not any hurt but
only one Horse rune throughe y^ necke w"" a tucke by one of y"
enemye, and y^ rider killed y" enemy w* y« Tucke. That night late
Coll. Vermuyden had intelligence from Stafford that y" Kinge intended
to march through y" Peake y« next day to Pontefracte and Coll.
Thornaugh came hither in y" midle of y» night w"' y" same newes
and soe hastned him away towarde Sheflfeilde w<^h had he not done,
but stayed here all Sunday (as wee would have had him done) to
have bin certaine w='' way y" King had moved, we had by all probability
cutt of many of y» Kinges horse, and of these stragling troopes w*^''
Plundered y» country, for upon Sunday morneing about 8 of y'^ Clocke
yo King had his Rendevouz upon Fossen heath w'in two miles of
Titbury where it is said he had about 4,000 foote 3,000 horse & 12
77?^ Gresleys of Drakelozve
Peeces of Ordinance he drew a Brigade of his Horse into Barton Parke
w-'' was attended with a Party of foote, w'hout y" Pale a Party marched
about y= Garrison to view it, in w"i> it is said both y' Princes were :
a probable conjecture whereof we have from a faire Irish Grayhound,
w<='' was taken by ten of our men w^*" ventured over y" workes, he
had a Coller about y^ necke w'*" P. K. in brasse and y= Princes armes,
and said by some Prisoners wee have taken to be y" Princes, some
of y" Ordinance were once turned to be drawne ag' our Barten Garrison
but a sudden comand came and diverted that course, y^ King and
Princes were ernestly solicited to storme that Garrison and this Towne
and had bin barkened unto but for retarding his march from Tudbury
(as wee conceive) to Ashby, and soe to storme Coleourton Garrison
and soe from thence to Newarke or else to Leicister and into y"
assotiated Counties: after y" enemyes Brigade was drawne out of y«
Parke wee sent out of y" Garrison severalle Parties successively w<^i»
(blessed be God) had good success for wee tooke ii Prisoners whereof
one was a Captaine ... a Coll. in S'' Marmaduke Langdales Brigade, as
desperate and as valliant a man of war as any in y" Army by y" reporte
of y* Prisoners, and would not yeld till he was desparately wounded
and died of it since his being brought to y^ Garrison. Wee took alsoe
divers horses and armes and Plundered stufle, Our Darby Horse faced
y« enemy on Sunday in y^ afternoone, untill y'' eveninge that they
marched over Dene to Tudbury and there quartered on y" other side
of y» River but they never sent out any Party to charge us: wee had
intelligence from Lecester on Sunday night that a private frend in
Newarke sent them notice that y» enemy there & at Belvoire had
order from his Ma''« not to stir out of their quarters, but to have
provision brought them, and bee ready at an howers warneing : that
they have made a worke in y« ground of Muskham Bridg to harber
400 horse and men and an other within musket shot of Newarke
towards Grantham, where they have a tent and men ready to march
upon an howeres warneing. I have fetched in 300 horse to mount
dragoones, wee have some intelligence came from Sheffield w** you
shall have by y» next for y^ messenger will not stay till it bee writt
and soe in hast reste.
YC- Reall frend
Geo. Greisley
May 26. II. Clock in y®
morneing.
HI.
Sir Geo. Greisley to Sir IV. B. \William Brere/oit].
Sir,
Beeing desirous not Justly to merryt y« Epethyte of ungratefull
I willingly take this oppurtunity to return yo» infynite thankes for yo'
Thomas Gresley (xix) 89
greate favour in beginning to renewe our intercourse of Intelligence
and in a tyme when yo'' are straytned of tyme and full of business
in which I pray God to prosper yo'', for y^^ supply of pvision which yo"
expect from these ptes I must referr yo" to y^' answeare of yo'' Coinittees
and for my owne pticular am sorry if wee are disabled to furnish yo-'
as wee desire, by reason of y" pvission which wee are to send for
yo mainteynance of our 500 foote 3 troopes of horse and our forces
which were at Bolesover, which are (as you may pceive by y^ Inclosed)
upon the disgarrisoning thereof Comanded to bee sent to Collonell
Generall Poynts for to goe against Newarke, and wee have this day
a messenger come from y" Lord of Leven : whoe brings as certayne
word that y^ Scottish foote will bee this night about Weatherby and
many of the horse are now about Chesterfield and wee are sent unto
by Collonell Genrall Poynts to send two of our Coniittee to meete w*""
two of the Cofhittees of the next adjacent countye, how and in what
manner wee may best pvide victualls for y" mayntenance of soe greate
an armye, wee heare y* Genrall Goring hath layd downe his Comission
and Greenvyle hath taken it, and this day our forces at Barton Garrison
tooke Captaine Ashton and a Cornett as they were comeing from
Litchfeild to Newarke w"" a Comission under the King's hand and
Ire to my Lord Bellasy, an other y* y'' Regim* of horse and foote y*
were under Willys and another Collonell whose name I have forgott
with theire officers should repayre vv"" speede to Litchfeild and to bee
under Collonell Cromwell, but left it to Ashton to tell them for what
service they were designed, and soe have noe more to say, but y' yo'
noble favours shall bee ever duly acknowledged by
S-'
21" Nov. 1645. Yo"' most faythfull frend
and servant
For Sir Will"» Geo. Gresley
Brercton,
theis.
Thomas Gresley.
(b. soon after 1600 : d. 1642.)
Thomas Gresley must have been born soon after 1600, for
on Nov. 19, 1619, he was admitted a reader in the Bodleian
as a member of Trinity College, Oxford, although his name
has entirely escaped the University Registers. He certainly
took no degree, and quite possibly was never matriculated,
but stayed some terms at College as a member of it but not,
in strictness, a member of the University. After his marriage
90 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. V. in 1622 he scems to have resided at Lullington ", but little
"^ MS. of Sir is recorded about him. In 1641 or 1642 he signed with
Geo. Grcsiey. Qj-i^e^g ^ petition from the gentry of Derbyshire to the King,
beseeching him to return to the Parliament : and this seems
to indicate that he was not so stout a Parliamentarian as his
father, who does not sign : Thomas was however appointed
a Deputy Lieutenant of the county by the Parliament on
Nov. 2, 1642. On Dec. 19 of this same year he died, in his
father's lifetime, and was buried at Gresley. His Will seems
not to be in existence, but only two administrations granted
<< Index Libr. in 1642 and 1649, both at Lichfield'^.
vii. 44'- j^jg .^j^g ^^g Bridget, daughter of Sir Thomas Burdet,
Bart., of Bramcote and Foremark and of Jane, whose father
and mother (William and Elizabeth) united the two ancient
branches of the family of Francis of Derbyshire, those of
Osmundeston and Ticknall, and (the younger branch)
of Ingleby and Foremark. Eleven generations back both
William and Ehzabeth had common ancestors in John
Francis and his wife Margaret (Beaufoy), who occur in
1310. It is this Mrs. Elizabeth Francis {nee Francis) who
is commemorated by William Sampson in his Virtus post
Fiinera vivit (Lond. 1636, pp. 41-2) in a poem on ' the
Worshipful M" Mary Greasley, Mother of the Lady
Bvrdeavt of Formarke,' Mary being an error for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth after her husband's death had married Hastings
Gresley of Repton, see p. 68. There was a curious arrange-
ment at the time of the marriage in 1622, probably due to
Sir George Gresley's financial difficulties, that for the first
four years the newly married couple should reside with
Sir Thomas Burdet at Foremark. She survived her
husband for more than forty years, and was buried at
• Lullington Gresley* on Nov. 25, 1685. Her Will is at Lichfield, and
'^' ^^' mentions, of her sons or sons-in-law, Sir Thomas and
George Gresley, John Harpur, and Thomas Brome; of her
daughters and daughters-in-law Mary Harpur, Frances
Whitehall, Bridget Brome, Lady Gresley and Jane Gresley:
and thirty-one grandchildren of the families of Gresley,
Thomas Gresley (xix)
Brome, Whitehall, Harpur, Inge, Ward, Dyott and Chap^v.
Skeffington.
Their children were :—
1. Jane, who died young.
2. Henry, who died young.
3. George, who died young.
4. Thomas Gresley (born 1628 or 1629 : 2nd Baronet), see p. 92.
5. Frances, who on June 20, 1666, at Lullington', married John ' Lullington
Whitehall s of Pipe Ridware, as his second wife. He was born in the ^'^^'
autumn of 1623 or spring of 1624, and had married Frances'' Aston of * Salt Soc. v.
Tixall : he died on Aug. 9, 1684, in his wife's lifetime'', and his monu- ^ ,,,.J ,.
ment is at Pipe Ridware. Their children were James who had issue, xixall 150.
Bridget who died unmarried on July 29, 1716, aged 46, and Frances who
died unmarried on Feb. 26, i74f , aged 73.
6. Bridget, born in or before 1635', who married on Dec. 30, 1657, at ' "^'^^ °^
Lullington f, Thomas Brome of Fisherwick. They had nine children J, G^'e^jg!, 'jg,-
Thomas, Richard, William, John, George, Charles, Mary (who married j c^^^ •
Sir Robert Burdet of Bramcote as his third wife, and died in July 1742), Staffordshire
Bridget, Catherine and Frances. He and his wife were alive in i68s ". '• 373 :
^ ^ Nichols' Leic.
7. George, who married on May 11, i66g, at Lullington', Jane daughter iii. 45°-
of Thomas Nelson Esq. of Northampton and chief heiress of her uncle '' Will of
the Rev. Samuel Wollaston, Rector of Thorp Constantine, who died in Bridget
1667 or 1668. He had difficulties in acting as trustee for his cousin
Robert Wilmot in 1678 ': and died in Oct. 1704, being buried on the ' Hist. MSS.
14th of that month at Lullington ™, where his wife had been buried on ^°™™" '^- ^^
Jan. 23, 170^.
8. Katherine, married on Feb. 7, i66i, at Lullington™, to Richard
Dyott Esq. of Lichfield (b. 1623 or 1624), who had been Captain of
horse of the Company of Loyal Volunteers at Lichfield, and after fighting
on the King's side at Edgehill retired to the Continent until just before
the Restoration. Katharine, who was a benefactor to the parish of
Lullington™ (an anagram was made on her name Catherine Dyot 'a
noted Charity '], died in 1667, and her husband in 1677, leaving a son
Richard, born in about 1666, who at the age of nineteen married his
cousin Frances Inge of Thorp Constantine.
9. Elizabeth, married on Sept. 18, 1672, at Lullington, to Philip Trafford
Esq. of Swithamley in Staffordshire, but husband and wife died within
four years of the marriage (she in Oct. 1674 and he in May 1676, both
buried at Macclesfield) and seem to have left no issue.
10. Mary, who on Feb. 14, 1669", at Lullington, married the Rev. John " Ibid.
Lullingt'
Will of
Harpur (see pedigree) of Little Over, Rector of Morley in Derbyshire,
whose first wife had been Mary daughter of Paul Ballidon Esq. of Bndgu
Derby. Mary the second wife was alive in 1685". Gresley, 1685.
92 The Gresleys of Drakcloive
Chap. V.
I~ Sir Thomas Gresley, 2nd Bart.
{b. 1628 or 1629 : d. 1699.)
From Sir Thomas's monument we gather that he was born
between June 6, 1628, and June 5, 1629: but httle is known
of him before his marriage, which was in all probability in
1648. He was too young to be prominent in the Civil War,
during which his father died, and did not succeed to the
Baronetcy till the death of his grandfather early in February
165?.
To all outward appearance Sir Thomas was a type of
a country gentleman, now disputing with the Pagets of
p In 1656 and Beaudesert about a weir at Burton p, now Sheriff of Derby-
cfhfrters49t ^^ire «, now appointed Deputy of the Master of the Royal
199- Leash for ten miles round Drakelowe "■. His portrait also
r !" 'L!. bears this impression out, both in the picture at Drakelowe
Brit. Mus. and on his great monument in Gresley church (of which
66,i, p. 37. more will be said later). He married a well-to-do but grasping
wife, and in his old age became eccentric, secreting gold and
silver in different rooms and being even regarded as noit
' Papers at compos mentis. This appears from a petition » in Chancery
See p. 95. ' filed by his son Thomas soon after his father's death in
which many curious details of the household are given,
though allowance must be made for the son's obvious animus
against his mother. It is at any rate clear that Lady Gresley
dominated the household and could be safely trusted to look
after her own interests, and this is amply borne out by the
language of Sir Thomas's Will. He died on June 5, 1699,
aged 70, according to the Monument, and was buried at
Church Gresley on the 9th with considerable ceremony.
For a description of the Monument, see Appendix A.
His wife was Frances daughter and co-heir of Gilbert
Morewood Esquire of Nether Seile, formerly a London
merchant. Her letters show her to have been a religious-
minded lady, careful of the welfare of her children, and of
a forcible character, but not clever or well educated. In
later life she excited the animosity of at least one of her
Sir Thomas Gresley (xx) 93
sons, and the house at Drakelowe must have been in an Chap. v.
unfortunate condition for the last ten years of Sir Thomas's
hfe. She had experienced a heavy blow in early life, having
been engaged to her cousin Rowland Morewood ' of Alfreton, ' Hari. Soc.
who died in 1647, whenFranceswas onlyseventeen, she having
been baptized on March 16, 1630". However in the next ° Nichols.
year, or not later than then, she married Sir Thomas Gresley. ii,. 1010.
Some of her correspondence between 1678 and 1695 is still
in existence, and now in the possession of Capt. Stewart of
Alltyrodyn, Llandyssil, South Wales. They are letters from
her, with some from Sir Thomas, to Sir John Moore who in
1681-2 was Lord Mayor of London : it is clear that the two
families were on intimate terms. The correspondence is
chiefly about her sons' bringing up, as will be noticed later :
in spite of her considerable fortune she says, on Oct. 6, 1679,
' For my part I was neuer any of Fortunes darlinges, to haue
uery much of the fading perishing treasures of this life : and
it is my desire that I may not bee towmuch affected with
them.' In 1691 she is somewhat aggrieved that Sir Thomas
is by his Will leaving everything to the eldest son, and says
that if she survives, she will have ' a house and nothing to
put in it.' On February 13, 169J, she writes that Mr. Waite,
a schoolmaster who lived within a mile of Drakelowe, had
obtained recommendations to Sir John Moore to make him
head-master of Appleby School : but she remarks that Sir
John is wise not to appoint any one to that post for life but
only during good behaviour, adding that Repton School is
ruined by the opposite principle. Her son Thomas was in
1707 a governor^ of the former school. Two letters from v Nichols,
her are printed as specimens at pp. 98-99. h,!'44i'.^'^'''^"^
Her own Will is dated Oct. 30, 1707 (with a codicil, after-
wards destroyed by her, dated Dec. 25, 1710), and was
proved on Oct. i, 1711, she having died on or about June 30,
I7II ^. " Papers at
The children of Sir Thomas and Lady Gresley were : — ^^ "^ °*^'
I. Frances, born at Drakelowe on April 13, 1649^, who married William n uf" /
eldest son of William Inge of Thorp Constantine soon after June 6, 1666, Drakelowe.
94
The Gresleys of Dmkelowe
^ Family
Bible at
Drakelowe.
y Nichols.
Leicestershire
' Family
Bible at
Drakelowe.
» Derb. Arch.
Sjc. xiv. 103.
•* Gresley
pedigree MS.
<^ Family
Bible at
Drakelowe.
the date of a settlement with respect to the Thorp property, see
pedigree. She died in 1712 and was buried on April 29 in that year at
Thorp.
2. Bridget, born at Drakelowe Sept. 15, 1651 ^ : buried at Gresley
Oct. 21, 1652.
3. Elizabeth, born at Drakelowe Jan. 4, 1655^: died unmarried at
Drakelowe Aug. lo, 1693 : her nuncupative Will and inventories of her
property (amounting to /641 15s. 2d.) are at Lichfield : a monument was
placed to her memory in Gresley church y.
4. Dorothy, born at Drakelowe July 14, 1655'^. She seems to have
fallen in love with one of her father's servants named Thomas Ward,
and when he was dismissed in consequence, she left Drakelowe suddenly,
on June 18 (?), 1681, at i a.m., and was married to him by license at
Tutbury eight hours later. Their children were at least Thomas (who
died of a wound received at the battle of Hochstadt in 1703 while
serving in General Wyndham's Regiment), Gresley, William, and Mary
(who married John Swan ). Her mother's Will shows that she resented
Dorothy's marriage till the day of her death. Dorothy was a widow in
1713 : and was buried at Gresley April 9, 1715.
5. Mary, born at Drakelowe April 14, 1657 ^, married at Stapenhill on
May 22, 1693, Daniel Watson Esq. of Burton, a son of Henry and Anne
Watson. Mary probably died before October 1707, as she is not
mentioned in her mother's Will of that date.
6. Grace, born at Drakelowe August 15, 1658', married at Stapenhill
on May 15, 1683, Robert Roby Esq. of Castle Donington, where she was
buried on Nov. 2, 1709*, and he on Nov. 13, 1714''.
7. William (born Nov. 8, 1661 : 3rd Baronet), see p. 100.
8. Anne, born at Drakelowe on Feb. 19, 1665 ^, died unmarried between
March 27, 1709, the date of her Will, and 1716 the date of her sister
Lettice's Will : at the former date she was 'of St. Ann's, Westminster.'
9. Catharine, born at Drakelowe May 19, 1664'', died unmarried on
Sept. 7, 1694. Her monument in Gresley Church is printed in Nichols's
Leicestershire d.
10. Lattice or Letitia, born at Drakelowe in 1665 or one of the two next
years, died unmarried, and was buried at Nether Seile on Feb. 17, 1734.
A letter from her is printed at p. 100.
11. Thomas (born May 10, 1668), see p. 102. When the direct male
line of the elder branch of Baronets failed at Sir Roger's death in 1837,
it was to the direct male descent of this Thomas that the Baronetcy
devolved. It has therefore been thought well from this point to deal
alternately with the heads of the two collateral lines until 1837.
12. Isabella, born at Drakelowe in 1669, died unmarried on Aug. 16,
1694, and was buried at Gresley ^.
13. Charles, born at Drakelowe on Feb. 21, i65g'', was 'a very in-
dated
Sir Tlionms Grcsley (xx) 95
genious brisk boy"': in accordance with the custom of the time among Chap. V.
the country gentry, he was 'an apprentice in London f in 1690, but ^ ^. " ,
settled at Dunstall near Barton in Staftbrdshire after his marriage on letter of May
Oct. 23, 1695, with Ann third daughter of John Bott Esq. of that place. 1687 in Capt.
Their children were three daughters : — Elizabeth, who married first -"^warts
Thomas Bott her first cousin, and secondly Samuel Beardsley of Tam- , _,
worth, and died in 1775; Frances who never married, and Ann wife of Gresley's
Edward Mathews: see' pedigree xiv. Ann Gresley died on Sept. 20, Petition at
17208, aged 44, and Charles on June 29, 17248: both were buried at i^r^-^eowe:
Tatenhill, where they had been married, and where a monument to ^ „,
them is still in existence. Their daughter Frances was also interred in stailordshire
the same church. '. 108.
14. Sarah, born at Drakelowe on March 20, 1675'', married, probably
in 1715'', Paul Ballidon of Stapenhill, whose father and grandfather bore ^ The mar-
the same names, but there was no issue. She died on June 15, 1736, '"'*?<=
and was buried two days after in All Saints' Church, Derby: he died Oct. ag,!;!
in 1729. (Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
6671, p. 58).
NOTE A
Petition of Thomas Gresley, Esq., of Lullington,
ABOUT A. D. 1700.
' To the Right Honourable Sir Nathan Wright, Ivnight, Lord Keeper
' of the Great Seal of England. Humbly complayneing sheweth vnto
' your Lordshipp j-our Oratour Thomas Gresley of Lullmgton,' county
Derby, ' gentleman. That Sir Thomas Gresley late of Drakelow,'
county Derby, ' deceased and Dame Frances his wife being seised ' &c.
'of and in the Mannour of Neather Seale' &c. 'Did as a provision for
'your Oratour their second sonn by certain Indentures of Lease and Re-
' lease,' dated 23 and 24 Sept. 1690, ' convey settle and assure the same
' (except A wood called Potter's Wood) vpon your Oratour his heirs ' &c.
' charged with the payment of 500 //,' lic. ' and reserving liberty only for
'the said dame Frances' &c. 'to fall the wood on the said premisses,'
&c. ' persueant to which said Settlement your Oratour entered on the
' said premisses ' (ic. ' The said Sir Thomas Gresley and Dame Frances
'or one of them did at the time of the making the said Settlement insist
'vpon your Oratour giveing 200 /; towards the provision of Charles
' Greslej' his younger Brother then an Apprentice in London when he
' should come out of his time or have occasion for the same,' which
he paid to Sir Thomas Gresley upon the marriage of the said Charles.
Sir Thomas Gresley had a deed prepared whereby he provided for
Dame Frances, settling upon her a messuage and lands at Gresley worth
Z37 P^r annum ; but afterwards providing for her otherwise, he intended
to have cancelled the Gresley settlement, but Dame Frances kept him
96 The Cresleys of Drakelozve
from doing so : but he, thinking it done, made a lease of the Gresley
land in 1695 for 21 years to Richard Ward, of Fenny Drayton, county
Leicester, and also included the same land in his settlement upon his
eldest son, William Gresley, at the time of his marriage in his father's
lifetime. ' And your Oratour further sheweth that the said Sir Thomas
' Gresley being very infirme before he dyed and not able to looke after
'his affayres himselfe, the said Dame Frances had heaped vpp great
'riches which she kept to her owne vse, or otherwise concealed the
'same from the said Sir Thomas. And the said Sir Thomas Gresley
' liveing at an Out Seat very remote from company, he hid divers great
' quantityes of Silver, Gold, and other valuable things, in divers private
'places about the house where he lived, makeing very few except the
' said Dame Frances acquainted therewith : or else the said Dame
' Frances by watching and observeing him therein, came to the know-
' ledge and custody thereof And your Oratour further sheweth that
' the said Sir Thomas Gresley did in his life time, and whilst he was of
' perfect mind and memorj', make and duly pubhsh his last Will and
' Testament in writeing, and thereby gives and devises to your Oratour
' and his heirs the said Wood called Potters Wood ; and after the devise
'of divers Legacyes therein particularly mencioned, gives and devises
'to your Oratour all the residue of his personall Estate, and thereof
' constitutes and appoynts your Oratour his sole Executor ; and shortly
' after dyed seized of the said Wood called Potter's Wood, and possessed
' of A great personall estate consisting in ready moneys, some wherof
'lay ready by him, other partes thereof were hid and concealed in
' seuerall places in and about the said house wherein he lived ; and alsoe
'possessed of divers securitj'es for money and great arrears of rent, and
'had divers Summes of money due and oweing to him vpon simple
' contract, many whereof were entred in his Almanacks and other
'pockett bookes, wherein he had alsoe made memorandums of the
' places where he had layed his money or other things of value, and
' of other things relateing to his personall estate ; and alsoe possessed of
'great quantityes of corne, hay, cattle, plate, Jewells, husbandry ware,
' Leases, and other personaltyes to A great value. And alsoe haveing
' in his custody all the deedes and writeings concerneing the said
'Mannour of Seale' &.c. 'After whose decease your Oratour duely
'proved the said will and tooke upon him the burthen of the said
' Executorshipp,' &c. 'And the said Dame Frances liveing in the
'house where the said Sir Thomas dyed, and haveing the comand of
'the keys of all the Closetts about the house and the power over the
'same in his sickness, did either in his life time or after his decease
' possess herselfe of great quantitj'es of gold, silver, and other rich
'things, which he, the said Sir Thomas, had hidd and laid vpp, and
'particularly she the said Dame Frances either by herselfe, or some
' other person or persons by her imployed, tooke upp A floor or some
'boards in A floor, vnder which the said Sir Thomas Gresley had hid
' great quantityes of gold, silver, and other rich things, all which shee
Sir Tliojiias Gresley (xx) 97
' tooke and carrj-ed the same forth of the said Roome in her apron, or
'otherwise. And she, the said Dame Frances, did find severall parcells
'of gold, silver, and other things, in severall places in and about the said
' house where the said Sir Thomas Gresley dyed, both in his life time
'and in the time of his sickness and afterwards. All which she alsoe
' conceales. And she the said Dame Frances doth know of divers other
'places in and about the said house where the said Testatour did in his
' life time lay upp his treasure, which she conceals from your Oratour
' intending to take the same at her pleasure : and the house where the
' said Testatour dyed being in Joynture to the said Dame Frances for
' her life, she refuseth to permitt your Oratour to make a full and
' eflectual search in the same. And the said Dame Frances did alsoe
'in the Testatours lifetime for many years before his death, save to her
' selfe severall summes of money which she concealed from him, and
' now pretends the same was not part of his estate, when, as she well
' knows, she was capable of takeing noe money to her owne vse dureing
' the Coverture, but that whatsoever was saved by her was for the
'benefitt of her husband and ought to be accounted part of his personall
' estate, and she the said Dame Frances ought to discover the same and
' deliver the same to your Oratour. And she the said Dame Frances
' vnder pretence that the household goods were given to her, possessed
' her selfe of all the plate which was not in vse in the house, and of
' divers other things as were not household goods, As all the Testatours
' Books, and all the pictures that were in the house. And of A great
'quantity of wool, cheese, netts for fishing and for taking of Rabitts, and
' other things in and about the said house at the Testatours death, and of
' divers parcells of cloth and other things that lay ready bought in the
' house, and were not made vpp into household goods, and alsoe of
' A great quantity of meanure that lay in and about the said house, and
' alsoe of great quantityes of sawed boards which were alsoe about the
'said house and noe ways mad vse of or fitted to any vse in the said
' house. And the said Dame Frances haveing a further designe to
' conceale the effects from your Oratour sent to him to see some of
' the Testatour's Almanacks where entryes were made of the summes
' and places where his money was layed, and of severall persons that
' owed him money, and of other matters relateing to his personall
' estate ; and haveing gott the said bookes into her custody hath cutt
' or caused to be cutt out of the same divers Leaves where the entryes
' aforesaid were made, and hath returned them soe cutt to your Oratour.'
She also had taken possession of the Farm at Gresley, and turned
Richard Ward out of it ; so that both he and Sir William Gresley
demanded satisfaction. She also refused to give up the writings touching
the Manor of Nether Seile, S:c. Pretence was also made that Sir
Thomas Gresley was not compos mentis when he made his Will. Dame
Frances had rejected offers of reconciliation with her son Thomas
Gresley, and had threatened to ruin and undo him.
Thomas Gresley praj-s for redress, and concludes: 'May it please
gS The Gresleys of Drakeloivc
' j'our Lordshipp. the premisses considered, to grant vnto your Oratour
' his Majestyes most gratious writt of Subpoena to be directed to the
' said Dame Frances and Sir William Gresley and the rest of the
'confederates when discovered, thereby commanding them and every
'of them at A certain day, and vnder a certain payne therein to be
'limitted, to bee and personally appear before j'our Lordshipp in this
'most honourable Court to answer all and singuler the said premisses,
'and to stand to and abide such further ordering and Decree therein
'as to your Lordshipp shall seem meet and agreable to equity and good
'Conscience. And your Oratour shall ever pray iS:c.'
Indorsed — ' Gresley Against Gresley &c. Bill in Chancery.' [From
Evidences at Nether Seile, 1853. J. M. G.]
NOTE B.
[CopiFs OF Old Letters from Frances Lady Gresley
IN THE Possession of Sir Robert Gresley, Bart. ;
see pp. 93, 94.]
L
Deaire Son Dracklow the 9 [1689 or 1690]
the letters from my Cossin Lee and Sir John speake that they
would haue you continu with your master, which I beleue will be no
greate matter of aduantage to you, thay are ferefuU of uentring againe
of another hauing given fiue hundred pound alredy, I suppose you are
acquainted with what thay rit to your father, For my part I do not licke
of it, I am not uery willing you should go beyand see, for your father
1 beleue will not be willing to furnish you with mony as you may expect,
my Cossin hopgood and her brother, think that your going to mr broking
will do you no good, I was at Formorck about a month agoo I desired
Sir ffrances [Burdett] to let your father know, that I would giue you
Scale, which is better then tow hundred a yere besides the wood, which
I will reserue for my selfe in case I should suruiue your father, which
I will haue in my owne power, to cut downe to help to stock Dracklow
and that I would haue you to haue it when you was one and twenty ;
hee semed mity unwillin to part with it, but at last hee said you should
haue it but you should pay him back againe the fiue hundred pound
which Mr brocking had of him, so Sir firances saide you should pay it
and he and euery body thinketh it is a uery good bargaine, becase he
can kepe it for his life so I would haue you to tacke aduice from
sumbody that you may trust what is best to be don about this bisnis
of mr broking turne ouer
Sir Thomas Gresley (xx) 99
whether it wil do you any greate good becase hee is so uery much
under a cloude, but say nothing of this to Sir John nor my cossin Lee —
for I hope when you think it may be conueniant and with safety to
your self, you wil com into the contry which I desire before any thing
be concluded with Mr brocking
Your father and I send you our blessing
Your brother and sisters remembr ther loues to you
Your louing mother
FFRANCES GrESLEY.
ffor Mr. Thomas Gresley at Mr. John Nuberryis house in Blacke friers
Londo post payde 6d
[The Seile estate (excepting Potter's Wood) was settled by Sir
Thomas and Lady Gresley upon their second son Thomas 24 Sept.
A.D. 1690, who was to pay out of the rents of it /500 to his father in
the course of four years. Power was reserved to Lady Gresley to cut
down timber and other trees upon the estate during her life and seven
years after her decease, which became a source of dispute and litigation.
'Your brother' mentioned in the letter was Sir Thomas's third son
Charles, afterwards of Dunstal, county Stafford.— J. M. G.]
IL
my harte
though the nevves of your health is at all times uery acceptable
to me ; yet it is a much greater contentment to me to haue it from your
owne hand then from any other whatsoeuer, which I do not doute of
j'our afifordinge me soe greate a delight: and if you stil taiex me of not
ualluing your former leter to it merit, by Resson I did not answer it
it must be becaise it is not possible to ualue enough : not becais I do
not ualue them as much as I can : and then doe but consider this to be
the only meains for absent frinds to conuers and that the want of
thinges are best knowne in the waint of them when abssent ; althougli
I did alvvais set a uery high esstcmat one the inioyment of your
Company nether am I now able to expres to you how unhapy I essteme
my self by your absence from me : I haue not anny thinge worthy to
aqunt you with and shal here breake of though Rufly more then to tel
you I am
Your Most affectinate and truly louing wife
FFRAN'CES GrESSLEY.
may 28th.
The Greslcys of Drakclowc
xxi
NOTE C.
Letitia Gresley.
[Indorsed ' Sister Lettice's Letter to her Sister Ballidon ; ' and directed
by Lettice Gresley herself 'To Mrs Ballidon— present— ': about a.d. 1720.]
Dearest Sis
this is to giue you a grate many thanks for all your cindness to
mee both when you was heare and at alle other tims i do sadele want
your good compene and do allwase think of you whereuer i do go for
i hafe a uery mallecon time of it now for ye windos are all oupen and
so I do not go to them for if i do i gate cold for i am so nesh of my
years my Sister is as shee was when you was heare my Brother's
hand is better i am tacking my Barck and it mack mee but bade but i
was uery bade fore i touck it and i hope that i shall better when i hafe
don it prea sand me word how you do and all frauds do my Brother
and Sister ioyne with mee in saruis to you and all frauds whear you do
think fite i shall rite to mrs. Clarck and gife your saruis to her and all
with hore and if you do pies to hafe any think eals to hor if you will let
mee know i will rite it to hore or if you pies to rite to hore and i sand it
to hore i am your lofeing Sister til dath 1 g
[Letitia Gresley.]
Sir William Gresley, 3rd Bart.
{b. 1661: d. 1710.)
On the label attached to Sir William's picture at Drake-
lowe, he is stated to have been born in 1663, and this agrees
with the statement in the Oxford Registers that when he
matriculated at the University from Trinity College on June
10, 1681, he was aged 17. But both these evidences must
be wrong. The births of his two next younger sisters were
on Feb. 19, i66i, and May 19, 1664, which of themselves
preclude the date 1663, unless he had been a twin : but
also the family Bible at Drakelowe records that he was
born there on Nov. 8, 1661, between 9 and 10 in the
morning — which is undoubtedly the true date. Of his early
life we know nothing: and his portrait seems to suggest
a quiet, if not a retiring character. He took no degree at
Sir VVtlliajn Greslcv (xxi)
Oxford, but his College still possesses two silver cups Chap, v.
presented by him in 1682 (when he probably went down)
and bearing a Latin inscription. After his father's death
in 1699 he resided at Drakelowe, and in 1704 was High
Sheriff of Derbyshire. On Oct. 17, 1710, he died, and is
described in the Administration granted to his widow as
' nuper de Oakeley in com. Salop.,' his actual residence for
the last few years having been at Bishop's Castle near
Oakeley, which came to him through his wife.
There is an amusing account of the wooing of ' Squire » Hist. ms.
Bill of Drakelowe,' among the Coke Papers % from which App. 2, '
it appears that he first proposed to a sister of his pp, 361,363,
future wife, but was not accepted, and that finally Mistress
Barbara Oakeley, nee Walcot, carried him off. Francis
Hopegood writes to Thomas Coke on Aug. 14, 1696,
' Esquire Bill [Gresley] of Drakelowe went a wooing into
a far country, but his mistress was not much smitten with
either his phiz or beau meene ; however he made shift to
captivate the heart of a widow. I know not who this
venturesome woman is, but they say she has £"2.^0 p. a.
jointure, and ^'2,000 stock, and seven children, but all
provided for. The knight and his lady are much against
it. . . . Just now I receive a letter from Sir Nicholas with
the following relation of the Squire's courtship, and that
Uncle R. B. [Robert Burdet] is going with him to see his
mistress ; vizt. the gentleman with the handwhip begad was
motioned to a virgin lady in Shropshire ; he went and liked
her, but she did not hke him ; so an elder sister of hers,
a widow, told her if she would not have him, she would ;
to which the Squire agreed. But not to the liking of his
parents, which gave him much disturbance, and in his
language said, " Kill mother begad, zuns shoot her"; which
so terrified his mother that she was fain to get away to
Burton with her daughters; but the knight errant is resolved
and says — " Zuns will have her and that quickly too, for
hunting is coming in and then cannot awhile."'
And again, on Sept. 18, i6g6, ' Squire Bill of Drakelowe is
The Greslcys of Drakelowc
Chap. V. married to the Shropshire widow. Lord have mercy upon
her! Sure men are very scarce, for they say she is a comely
woman, has wherewith to keep her clean, and her children
provided for.'
Also, i6g8, April 6. Foremark. Elizabeth Coke to
Thomas Coke at Mrs. Hopegood's in Lothbury in London.
' Esquire Bill and his lady are in Derbyshire, and are daily
expected here. He swears he has got " best best wife world.
I took her down in her wedding shews (shoes?) and the
best in the world." '
Barbara was the daughter of John Walcot and Elizabeth
his wife, and born on Jan. 31, 166^, and seems to have
'■ Administra- (jied in 1724 '': by her first husband William Oakeley (of
tion of her t-. <--
Bishop's Castle in Shropshire) she had had seven children,
one of whom was William Oakeley grandfather of Sir
Charles Oakeley, whose granddaughter Georgina Ann
Reid in 1831 married the Rev. Sir William Nigel Gresley,
9th Baronet, and lives at Barton under Needwood.
The marriage was on Sept. 2, 1696, at Bishop's Castle,
and the issue as follows : —
estate was
granted on
that year.
' Bodl. MS.
22087, fol.
•• Information
from Lord
Havvkesbury.
1. Bridget, baptized at Bishop's Castle on Oct. 10, 1697 ■=, married on
April 5, 1716^, Adam Ottley of Pitchford, and had three children by him,
see pedigree. She died on June 23. 1737'^, and was buried two days
later"* at Pitchford. Portraits'' of her (by Sir G. Kneller) and of her
husband (by Jervas) are at Pitchford.
2. Thomas (born 1698 or '99), 4th Baronet : see p. 104.
3. William, who died j-oung.
XXI Thomas Gresley, Esq., of Nether Scile, brother of Sir William
Gresley, 3rd Baronet.
(b. 1668: d. 1743.)
Thomas Gresle}', 2nd son of Sir Thomas Gresley and
a direct ancestor of the present Baronet, was born at Drake-
Family Bible lowe on Sunday Ma}' 10, 1668", at about 2 p.m. Like his
t Drakelowc. yQ^j^ggj- brother Charles, he was sent to London and placed
under the care of Sir John Moore (see p. 93I, who took
Thomas Greslcy (xxi) 103
great care of both during an attack of small-pox in 1687 ^ Chap. v.
Thomas was in 1684 bound apprentice to John Broking, f Letters in
a London merchant, who was to train him in business and of cI'iiT'^^'^" "
settle him in Leghorn : but in i68g or 1690 Thomas was Stewart.
still in London at ' Mr. John Nuberryis house in Blacke
Friers 8'. In the latter year the manor of Nether Seile was « Letter from
given him by his parents, and he probably settled there hSmrseep^^g^
soon after, or not later than his marriage in 1705: after
which he resided perhaps chiefly at Ladyhole. In Sept.
1 710 he took an active part in local politics, and seems to
have been one of the three who started the opposition to
the Coke interest ^ at that time, though his father was t Hist. Mss.
on their side in 1685: and in 1712-3 he was High Sheriff 56 'q™,' ^" ^'
of Leicestershire. On April 6, 1743, he died at Nether Seile. '^'- 5. 86.
On Feb. 7, 170*, at Ashbourne in Derbyshire, he married
Elizabeth daughter of John Lee of Ladyhole in that parish.
She was considerably younger than her husband, as at her
death on Feb. 14, 173!, she was only fifty-two, according to
the monument at Nether Seile '. 1 Nichols,
Their children were :— LTr'e'^hrggs.
1. Lee, born on Nov. 14, 1705 J, at about 3 a.m., and baptized at J Nether Seile
Ashbourne "^ (after private baptism) on Dec. 17. matriculated at Oxford Reg.
from Trinity College on June i, 1724, being then aged 18 : and thence
proceeded in 1726, without taking a degree, to the Inner Temple in
London : but he appears to have had ill health from his earliest years,
and died unmarried ; and was buried on March 2, 1745, at Nether Seile ' : ' Nether
his will is dated Feb. 4, i74f. Seile Reg.
2. Frances, born June 19, 1707, at about 5 p.m., died on Nov. 28, 1713'.
3. Thomas, born July 26, 1708, died April 15, 1709'.
4. William, born Jan. 23, 17^^, buried July 11, 1717'.
5. John (born Jan. 15, 171?), see p. 107.
6. Elizabeth, born March 9, 171 ^. married (probably in about 1750)
a distant cousin Henry Greslej-, for whom see p. 141 : but there seems to ™ N. Seile
have been no issue, and she died on Nov. 28, 1792. ^^5-
7. James, baptized Aug. 13, 1715, at Nether Seile", was matriculated at gj Appleby in
Cambridge from Emmanuel College (B.A. 1737), and took Holy Orders. Nichols'
He was English Master at Appleby School from 1738 till his death, Leicestershire
which took place on Oct. 23, 1745°, only two years after he had (on Topographer'
Aug. 13, 1743) married Ann daughter of Richard Farmer of Witherly ii. (1790^ p. 73.
^ Ashbourne
Reg.
I04
The Gresleys of Drnkeloive
" N. Seile
Reg.
I' Army Lists.
and Rebecca his wife (ne'e Moore, of Appleby Parva). James had no
children : his widow (born July 17, 1714) died on Nov. 15, 1766.
8. Robert, baptized Oct. 6, 1717, at Nether Seile °, was a Captain in the
86th Regiment of Foot p from 1756 till it was disbanded in 1763 : in 1760
he was with his Regiment in Senegal. He seems to have married
Jane Hurt of Cork, perhaps a member of the old Derbyshire family of
Hurt of Casterne and Alderwasley. For his family see the pedigree of
the Australian Gresleys (p. 142) : he was alive in 1775 p.
0 Family
Notebk.
' Grcsley
Mon' & Re
» Ladv
Dorothy's
notes.
" Greslcy
Reg.
Sir Thomas Gresley, 4th Baronet.
{b. 1698 or 1699: d. 1746.)
It is curious that there appears to be no record of the
day of Sir Thomas's birth: but we know that when he
matriculated at Oxford from Balliol College, on May 7, 1716,
he was aged 17 : so that he must have been born between
May 8, 1698, and May 7, 1699. Hardly anything is known
of his life after leaving Oxford — where he took no degree—
except in connexion with his two marriages, the first of
which was of considerable importance. A few scattered facts
we know, such as that from Nov. 4 to Dec. 4, 17271 he
and Lady Gresley were at Kn3'persley, and there is an
inventory 1 of the goods there which belonged to her on
Dec. 2 in that year: but his seems to have been 2i fallcntis
scmita vitae. He was buried at Gresley "■ on Oct. 11, 1746.
On April 5, I7I9^ at Biddulph Sir Thomas married
Dorothy daughter and co-heir of Sir William Bovi^er of
Knypersley in Staffordshire, more than half of whose large
estates came ultimately to the Gresley family through this
and another marriage, see the pedigree of Bowyer. She
died on July 31, 1736', and was buried in Gresley Church
on the 3rd of August ' following, having had, it is believed,
twelve children by Sir Thomas, of whom onl}^ two survived
to middle age. The names of such as are recorded are :—
1. William, born at Drakelowe on Jan. 11, 1715 ", died on Aug. 8,
1724", and was buried on the next day^.
2. A son, born at Drakelowe April 16, 1721 ", died the same day.
3. Thomas (born July 12, 1722), the 5th Baronet, see p. 109.
Sz> Thomas Gresley (xxii) 105
4. Dorothy, born at Drakelowe March 4, 1725", died there on June 20, Chap. V.
1729", and was buried at Gresley on the 22nd''.
5. Nigel (born Jan. 11, 172^), the 6th Baronet, see p. 109.
6. John, born at Drakelowe on April 22, 1727", was privately baptized
there on May 11 and christened on June 6^^ following at Walton, but he " Walton
died in 173!} and was buried at Gresley on Jan. 5^ in that year. ^^S-
7. Charles, born May 26, 1728", at Drakelowe, died on Aug. 25, 1729, » Bible at
and was buried on the 27th at Gresley y. Drakelowe.
8. Selina, born at Drakelowe Aug. 17, 1729", was buried at Gresley ^^ res ey
on May 16, I738y. . • Sl'eaneya'
9. William, born at Drakelowe Nov. 27, 1730, was buried on July 3, Selina .)
1731 J'-
10. A daughter was born at Drakelowe on Oct. 12, 1733", but must
have died young.
I Apparently unrecorded by name : no doubt they died in infancy.
On June 11, 1739, Sir Thomas married at Haddon Chapel'' ^ B.^keweii
Gertrude, daughter and co-heir of John Grammer Esq. '^^'
of Pledwick in Yorkshire. She survived her husband for
forty-four years, hving chiefly at Lichfield, and was buried in
Gresley Church on Jan. 5, 1791". In the gossip of the » Gresley
time she was known as ' Lady Blackwig '' ' ! By her Sir
Thomas had two children : —
Mrs. Lee in
13(1). Gertrude, born at Drakelowe on April 27, 1740 <", baptized at manuscript.
Walton on May 14, 1740 1^, died young and was buried at Gresley on p^akelowe
Dec. 17, 1749 ''• d Notes by
14 (2). Geoffrey, born at Drakelowe on Nov. i, 1741", was baptized Wolferstan
at Walton on Nov. 27 following'' : his fortunes must be closely followed, o" Gresley
•' pedigree in
Of the fourteen children of Sir Thomas Gresley, eleven Leicester-
died unmarried or in infancy. Of the three sons who grew f'^t^it^n
up to manhood, Thomas, Nigel and Geoffrey, the first died Reg.
without issue, the male line of the second failed in 1837
on the death of Sir Roger: and Geoffrey's only son died
childless in 1758.
GeofTrey was certainly at Nether Seile on Feb. 6, 1758'', ' Family
and on April 6, 1763'', but went to Virginia soon after and comem-'
married there. His wife's name was Jane Grant, according po^ry.
to a statement s sent to the College of Arms by Sir Roger i Abstract ai
Gresley on Dec. 31, 1835: he says that the name occurs '^'' "^ "^^'^•
Reminis-
io6 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
ChapV. in an 'old pedigree' and that there was an erroneous idea
that the Christian name was Mary. His children, born in
"Elizabeth America, were Thomas, born Oct. lo, 1767 ^ and Jane
wfu. see^^ Grammer, born April 4, 1769'': Geoffre}' himself died before
below. jyjy 1774''. His widow came to England with the two
children : and Richard Gresley (born 1766, died 1850, see
p. 148) gave the following information to the Rev. J. M.
Gresley:— that Geoffrey's widow 'returned to England with
his two children, who lived with their grandmother [Gertrude
Lady Gresley] at Lichfield in a house in Sandford St. about
fifty yards from the George Inn, on the left-hand side as you
go out of Lichfield.' On July 20, 1774, Elizabeth Beardsley
of Tamworth (see p. 95) by a codicil to her Will ' left ^^200
to 'the two children of her late godson Jeffery Gresley
deceased,' namely to 'Thomas Gresley aged 11 on Oct.
10, 1778, and to Jane Grammer Gresley aged 9 on April
' Quoted in a 4, 1778'', both then 'resident with and maintained by their
G°enrude grandmother J ', Lady Gresley.
Lady Gresley Thomas Gresley, the son, who entered Rugby School
Dec. 26, 1778, -' ' _ .
at Drakeiowe. early in 1780, was on good terms with the family, and known
onhebTnT familiarly as 'Thomas Gresley the sailor,' he being in the
above. ' navy. He was dining for instance at Drakeiowe on Oct.
" Family 7. 1 789'', and at Nether Seile on Jan. 9, 1790''. On Thursday
Notebook. March 8, 1798", he died, and on March 12 was buried at
Seile ■". The Rev. J. M. Gresley adds, no doubt from
Richard Gresley's information, that Thomas 'shot himself
at Tamworth, being, and having been, of unsound mind.'
'Paper at Qn Jan. 4, 1836, Sir Roger Gresley testified' that the
Rev. G. W. Lloyd, incumbent of Church Gresley, knew
Thomas personally, had often met him at Drakeiowe, and
Uv?i65, "c.^' could prove that he was the only son of Geoffrey and that
" Nichols' he died unmarried.
hit'pfr''''' Jane Grammer Gresley married on Jan. 21, 1795 -, Robert
p. loii*. Willoughby Esq., first cousin of Lord Willoughby: she
giJ.ei°br"°" died on Sept. 9, 1803°, leaving a son John" (born 1796;
i^'*^''- Gresley jjgj j8ii, whcn a midshipman, on board ship, by falling"
J. M. Gresley. from a oiast on to the deck) and a daughter Jane Charlotte °
John Gresley (xxii) T07
(born 1797, died Sept. 15, 1803). Robert Willoughby" was Chap. v.
of Kingsbury Cliff in Warwickshire (born Feb. 21, 1765 : p Burke's
a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Militia), and had previously Gemnf(i846)
married Cecile daughter of M. Pierre Gratian de Goudin ''• '6°3-
of Sens : his third wife was Avarilla eldest daughter of
Edward Croxall, and he had issue by all his wives.
John Gresley, of Nether Seile, first cousin of Sir Thomas Gresley, XXii
the 4th Baronet.
(b. 171?: d. 1783.)
John Gresley was born on Jan. 15, 171" ", at Nether Seile " Nether
and baptized on the 25th of the same month ''. As a fourth ^' *" ''^'
son he had no natural expectation of becoming his father's
heir. However his elder brothers died, Lee making him
his heir for his (John's) hfetime, and things went well with
him. He lived at Wirksworth for most of his life, both his
wives being from local families, and only in his later years,
probably after his second wife's death in 1766, moved to
Sandybrook near Ashbourne, where he died on Dec. 31,
1783'', aged 73, and was buried at Ashbourne on Jan. 5, ■• Family
o g Notebook.
' "T ' " Ashbourne
On Aug. 20, 1733', at Wirksworth he married his first R^^^g.
wife Dorothy Wilcockson, who was baptized Dec. 12, 1708 \ ' wirksw.
see pedigree lix. She must have died in 1746, probably '"^^"
at or soon after the birth of her second daughter Elizabeth.
Their issue was : —
1. Thomas (born July 1734), see p. 113.
2. John, born between Feb. 11, 173 j. and March 20 following", when " From age
he was baptized at Ashbourne', went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge °" '"°""-
(B.A. 1758, M.A. 1761, B.D. 1768), of which foundation he became a , Ashb Ree
Fellow. At one time he was minister of Bakewell Chapel" in Derby- „ juon'
shire: but at his death at Wensley on Feb. 10, 1795 (aged 58) he there: see
was rector of Aller in Somerset": the burial was at Rovvtor Chapel in ?,°™'^'"f; ^"'^
Birchover parish, Derbyshire, where there is a monument to him. He q^^. 310."
is described in a private letter of 1848 as ' popular,' and in personal
appearance 'portly and commanding.' In 1781 he was residuary legatee
io8
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
- Orig. \Vi
1 Dated
July 23i i:
of John Wall" of Wensley (see p. 114), and his Willy shows that lie
possessed considerable property, including lead mines and shares in lead
mines. For his quarrels with his brother Thomas see p. 114. In his
last years he suffered much from scorbutic ulcers.
Ashb. Reg. 3. Elizabeth, baptized April 24, 1740 ', was buried at Ashbourne
June 13, 1744 ^
4. Elizabeth, born, as may be deduced from her monument, between
Nov. 14, 1745, and Nov. 13, 1746, married on May 22, 1764', at Ashbourne
Family Samuel Ball of Tamworth, and died Nov. 13, 1802", aged 56, and was
otebook. burled on the 19th ». For her children see pedigree xi.
•> Marriage
articles are
dated July 6,
1747-
"^ Family
Notebk.
^ Ashb. Reg.
» Hismother's
Will.
' Papers of
the Rev.J. M.
Gresley.
6 Deed by
him of
Apr. 15,
1777-
■i From
pedigree
annotated
by Rich.
Gresley :
and Family
Notebooks :
and Nichols'
Leicester-
shire.
' Clifton Reg.
J Gent. Mag.
Ix. 1051.
^ Family
Notebk.
1 Gent. Mag.
Ixvii. 355.
■>■ Deed of
Will. I'heoph.
Gresley of
Apr. 15,
1777.
>■ Ashb. Reg.
o Family
Notebk.
V Army Lists.
John Gresley married secondly in July 1747*' Mary, widow
of John Toplis of Wirksworth, nee Bradley, see pedigree
lix : she died on Sept. 4, 1766°. Their issue was :—
5 (i). Charles Lee, baptized at Ashbourne on Aug. 14, 1748 <1, died at
Sandybrook on Feb. 10, 1768 , and was buried at Ashbourne two days
later ".
6 (2). James Henry, was alive on June 2, 1766", but is stated to have
died unmarried under age, before April 15, 1777 ^
7 (3). William Theophilus, the year of whose birth appears not to be
recorded, but who was over twenty-one in April 17778, was a surgeon,
whom we find in 1797'' at Slough, and in 1803-26 at Liverpool, where he
was house surgeon in the Infirmary. He died on May 19, 1826, with no
surviving issue, though he married twice. His first wife was Anne only
daughter of Richard Watkins rector of Clifton Camvill and Anne his
wife. She died on Oct. 21, 1781, aged 29, of puerperal fever, and was
buried on the 26th at Clifton *, leaving a son William who was buried
on May 8, 1784'. On Nov. 29, 1790, 'William Gresley Esq. of the
Hotwells, Bristol J' was married again to Mary Anningson of Clifton
near Bristol, the daughter of a Twickenham gentleman : but she died on
March 25'' or 27 ', 1797, without issue, and was buried at Twickenham on
the 30th '.
8 (4). Robert, who was over twenty-one in April 1777 °>, married, on
Dec. 21, 1777, at Ashbourne", Mary Deane of that place, who died
June 23, 1791, in child-bed. Robert occurs in April 1782°, and was
buried at some subsequent date at Mosley near Ashton-under-Lyme,
where his wife was also buried. His children are best given in
a separate pedigree (see p. 146), as the name of Gresley still survives in
this branch.
9 (5). Walsingham, born in 1758 or 1759", was in 1784 a Lieutenant
in the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot i', and served in the
West Indies, whence he returned with a liver complaint, and died
unmarried at the Hotwells, Bristol, on March 16, 1786.
Sir Thomas Grcslcy (xxiii) log
Sir Thomas Gresley, 5th Baronet. — -
{b. 1722 : d. 1753.) XX"!
Sir Thomas was born at Drakelowe on July 12, 1722'', " Bible at
at 4 a.m., and matriculated at Oxford from Balliol College
on May 24, 1739, but took no degree. On succeeding to the
Baronetcy in 1746 he took a larger share in pubhc affairs
than his father, for in 1750-1 he was High Sheriff of Derby-
shire, in connexion with which there is an account in the
Reliquary^ of his coming into Derby in state for the Assizes. ■■ o.s..xi". 93:
On Nov. 30, 1753, he was elected M.P. for Lichfield in the
Tory interest, polling 348 against Henry Vernon's 261 ^ » Harwood's
at a bye-contest— the omission of which in the official return (1806),
of all Members of Parliament (Lend. 1878-91) is only one ^' ^^^"
among many imperfections in that work — but within a month
of his election died in London (on Dec. 23) of small-pox, at ' Gresley
the early age of thirty-one, and was buried at Gresley' on ^f" , , ,
, r , J „ Nichols"
the last day 01 the year. Leicester-
Sir Thomas married, probably in 1749, Wilmot daughter ^io,7*!"' '"' '^'
and heir of Mr. Hood of Leicester", of whom I cannot find ' Gent. Mag.
any account. She long survived her husband and died in ixviii.'ags.
Hertford Street, London, on June 11 '' or 12", 1797, and was ^^'[^1^1^'^
buried at Gresley on the 26th ^ Their only issue was ^Gresley
a daughter:— '^''^•
" •> Bible at
Wilmot, born at Drakelowe on Aug. 17, 1750 y, and baptized at Walton Drakelowe.
on Oct. 5^ of the same year, married her first cousin Sir Nigel Bowyer '■ Wolfcrstan
Gresley, the 7th Baronet, see p. 119. notes to a
pedigree.
Sir Nigel Gresley, 6th Baronet, brother of the 5th Baronet. XXiU
(b. 172J : d. 1787.)
Sir Nigel was the most ingenious, energetic and public-
spirited, but perhaps not the most prudent, of the Gresley
' Rcliquaiy, O. S. xi. (1870-71^ 93.
1751. Derby, March 2i. On Monday last Sir Thomas Gresley, of Drakelow,
Bart., our High Sheriff, accompany'd by a great number of Gentlemen and
Tradesmen of Burton-upon-Trent. and the neighbouring places, and attended by
several Servants, in handsome Gold-Lac'd Liveries, came to the King's Head in
this Town, where after refreshing themselves, and being joind by many other
Gentlemen &c., and the proper Officers, they set out to meet Sir Sydney Stafford
Smythe, the Judge appointed to hold the Assizes here, who arrived about Six the
same evening.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
* Bible at
Drakelowe.
t' Walton
Reg.
"= Navy Lists.
■^ Information
from Richard
Gresley and
Elizabeth
Pycroft.
The possible
ships were
the Furnace,
Bridgewater,
and perhaps
Royal
Sovereign.
• Brit. Mus.
MS. Add.
15955,
fol. 278.
' Letter from
Sir Roger
Gresley
Jan. 4, 1836.
at Drakelowe.
K E. Mete-
yard's Life of
Wedgwood
i- 397-
^ Bodl. MS.
Ashm. 833,
p. 227.
•■ Ward's
Stoke upon
Trent, p. 163.
Baronets of the eighteenth century. He was born at Drake-
lowe on Jan. ii, 172^% and baptized at Walton on Jan. 27''
following. We find him early in life in the Royal Navy,
his first commission as Lieutenant being in 1747 or 1748=.
It appears to have been in his ship^ that Flora Macdonald
was conveyed to London under guard at the close of 1746 :
and to commemorate his kindness and courtesy on this
occasion a picture of her (still at Drakelowe) was sub-
sequently presented by Flora herself to Sir Nigel. He is
even stated to have been a strong Jacobite in sentiment,
but whether this chivalrous incident was the cause or effect
of his political views, is not clear. He probably left the
navy from ill-health, since in a letter* of March 18, 17!^, he
dechnes the post of Lieutenant on the Mercury, which had
been offered him by Lord Anson, on the ground of rheumatic
complaints. In this letter, it may be added, he expresses
views inconsistent with any love for the Stuart dynasty.
He was still on the active list of Lieutenants at the close
of 1750^
On succeeding unexpectedly to the Baronetcy, Sir Nigel
found himself in possession of the Knypersley estate and
since Drakelowe was assigned by will or arrangement to
Dame Wilmot Gresley, he resided at Knypersley^ after
his marriage, and kept hounds; until for the sake of his
children's education, but partly also from debt^ he left
Knypersley (in 1765) and moved to Worcester, and at last
for health to Bath. It is interesting to remember that Kny-
persley had been in possession of Alina'' wife of Engenulph
de Gresley at least six centuries before.
He was an early patron of James Brindley the engineer,
who in 1752' erected for him a water engine for draining
the Gresley coal mines near Manchester. In 1775 he ob-
tained a private Act for constructing, in conjunction with
his eldest son, the ' Newcastle Upper Canal ' to convey his
coal and ironstone from the mines at Apedale into the
Grand Trunk Canal at Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is about
nine miles long and still known as Gresley's Canal, but
Sir Nigel Gresley (xxiii)
is derelict. His schemes, however, were not profitable, and Chap. v.
in 1767 he obtained a private Act empowering him to sell the
Knypersley estate.
On April 17, 1787 J, he died at Bath (of dropsy?) and was J Mon'at
buried in Bath Abbey'' four days later. ,!' ', . ,
-I ■' k Bath Abbey
In the Gentleman s Magazine vol. Ivii (1787) p. 288 there Reg.
is an eulogy of Sir Nigel signed ' Polyxena,' with some
verses (by Major Barry) to his memory : and also a sym-
pathetic but discriminating character of him stated to be
by Governor Philip Thicknesse ' which may be here ' Nichols,
•^ . , ^ ' ^ Leiccstei--
repnnted : — shire lii. pt. 2,
'Sir Nigel Gresley possessed a character that ought not to be passed '
by with one eulogium, however just, and with one testimony of public
regret, however sincere. The nature of this Baronet was good-nature.
Me was a kind husband, a tender father, a zealous friend, an hospitable
neighbour. He was brave without boasting, and was just such a man
as Sterne describes his uncle Toby, to whose kindness the weak would
fly for protection. His manners were simple and unaffected, not such
as are formed by the dancing- master, or acquired in a foreign tour.
They were far better, and had a nobler source, for they sprung from an
excellent heart. He had a soul for sympathy, and a tear for pity. His
form, indeed, was robust beyond common appearance; but his
dispositions were mild, generous, and unsuspecting. It was rather
a difficult matter to make him think ill, and it was very easy to persuade
him to think well, of others. These, and their associate virtues, had in
some part of his life, involved him in difficulty and inconvenience.
Indeed, cold, inanimate prudence might say, that such qualities are not
formed for what is called the prosperity of this world ; and it may be
true ; but they will stand him in good stead in that world whither he is
gone. While his family lament, and his friends regret, his loss, a distant
and forgotten admirer oi his character lays an humble tribute of regard
upon his grave.'
In corroboration of this, Richard Gresley used to relate
of Sir Nigel that ' nothing could put him out of humour,
for he was certainly the most good-natured man I ever
saw.' An old Nether Seile man™ who died about 1846, " v^iiiiam
said that Sir Nigel 'was the biggest man he ever saw "^ ^"
in his life, except it was a giant in a show,' and that when
he went to church at Nether Seile, where he often visited,
he was obliged to go sideways into the Hall pew. It is
related of him also that one day when he was coming out
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap^v. of the Pump Room at Bath, one of the chair-men standing
by remarked upon his ' robust appearance ' and, in fact,
was impertinent. Sir Nigel immediately said to him 'Take
me up to Lansdowne Crescent,' and got into his chair. Before
they had proceeded far up the hill, the man besought him
not to require him to go any further, and humbly begged
pardon, which Sir Nigel readily granted.
" Astbiiry On May i8, 1752°, at Astbury in Cheshire he married
^^' his cousin Elizabeth, third daughter and co-heir of the
Rev. Ellis W3'nn of Congleton and Elizabeth his wife, nee
Oldfield. After her husband's death she lived in the Close
o iiiformntion at Lichfield in a house ° opposite the South Transept of the
Gr™ify.'^'''"'^ Cathedral, where she died on May 13, 1793 p: she was
p Nichols- buried in the Abbey Church at Bath « on the 22nd. She
shi'rehTpt.2, ^^"^^ familiarly known as ' Lady Whitewig ' in contradistinc-
lo"*- tion to Gertrude Lady Gresley, see p. 105. Among the
Reg.' ^^ friends of her later life was Miss Anna Seward, from whose
letters we learn that in 1789 they met after a separation
r Letters ii. of nearly twenty years ', and that Lady Gresley entered her
325- 'new house ^ in the Close' in Dec. 1790, after staying for
' '"' ■* ■ some time in one of the Canons' houses ; with details of
« Ibid. iii. 15. her lameness and final illness which a visit to Buxton ' in
1792 failed to cure. At this time Lady Gresley had a ' feeble
" Ibid. iii. 115, and delicate frame",' but was of an active and intellectual
cf. 228, 331. disposition. Her two unmarried daughters were living
with her till her death. The children of Sir Nigel and
» Her Elizabeth were : —
notebo
Nigel Bowyer (born March 18, 1753), 7th Baronet, see p. 117.
"^ Manuscript „ , , ,, ,.,...
'Hist of Our 2. Dorothy, born May 12, 1754'', died in infancy.
Ancestors by ^ Anne, born May 11, 1755, who was known as 'Graceful Gresley'
from her fine minuet dancing, married Sir John Edensor Heathcote on
mother's J^"- 3> 1780, at Walcot church near Bath : for their children see the
notebk. Heathcote pedigree. She is stated to have died in Sept. 1797", in
v Gent. Mag. child-bed.
N.S. xi. 557.
* Ibid. vii.
4. Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1756'^, died unmarried at Leamington on
April 10, 1839 y.
ly 5. Frances, born Nov. 30, 1757 ", died unmarried on Sept. 30, 1836 '^, at
;. Leaminglon, and was buried there on Oct. 7".
Rev. Thomas Gresley (xxiii) 113
6. Louisa Jane, born Oct. 5, 1759 ", lived at Drakelowe "" after her Chap. V.
sister-in-law's death, and married on May 5, 1798, the Rev. William ^
Gresley of Nether Seile : and died on April 20, 1806, leaving issue : mother's
see p. 122. Notebk.
7. Harriet, born Feb. 9, 1761 ^, married John Jelly <= Esq., a solicitor of Letters iii.
Bath, son of Thomas Jelly, and had six children <• :— John Gresley 381.
(born July 13, 1790, married in 1824 Sarah Weeks, and had issue), " Information
Edward Nigel (drowned at sea in 1812), Harriet, Selina, Frances, and j™J" -^^ "
Louisa (born at Bath, died at Farley in Somerset June 30, 1810, aged 17). 1844.
Harriet died at Norton St. Philip's May 25, 1832, and was buried at
Farley.
8. Mary Susanna, born April 23, 1762'', married (in Lichfield d Lichf. Cath.
Cathedral, on July 19, 1791'') the Rev. Baptist John Proby", Vicar of Reg.
St. Mary's, Lichfield, eldest son of the Very Rev. Baptist Proby, Dean » An account
of Lichfield, and Mary his wife, tic'e Russell. There were five children 2. '"'"m^ '"
of this marriage : — Capt. Will. Hen. Baptist (R.N., married in 1831 vol. c, pt. i,
Mary Louisa How, and had issue, died Nov. 26, 1839), Rev. John Carys- p- 280: the
fort (married at Calcutta Lydia Browne, and had issue), Joshua Brown- *p"°wing
low (died in infancy), Maria Susanna (died 18621, and Louisa (died 1849). chiefly from
Mary Susanna died on Nov. i, 1820, and was buried on the 9th in Maria
Lichfield Cathedral : her husband died on Jan. 14, 1830. Prob""t8 o
Rev. Thomas Gresley, D.D.. F.R.S.. of Nether Seile, 2nd cousin of XXIU
the 5th and 6th Baronets.
(6. 1734 : d. 1785.)
Thomas was born shortly before July 21, 1734, the date
of his baptism at Wirksworth ^. He matriculated at Oxford ' Wirksw.
from Hertford College on April 17, 1751, and came under ^'^^'
the rigid and peculiar statutes of its Founder, Dr. Richard
Newton: he took his B.A. degree (after his marriage) on
Feb. 14, 1758, M.A. May 11, 1758: B.D. and D.D. together
as a Grand-Compounder on Nov. 11, 1768. He was or-
dained priest on Sept. 24, 1758, by the Bishop of Lincoln,
and on Oct. 31, 1759, was instituted Rector of Nether Seile
(of which he was also patron)— a living he retained till his
death. He was a man of considerable means, and in about account and
1770 purchased the impropriate tithes of Church Gresley ^^"3^°*^^™
and of Measham. His favourite residence was Four Oaks*'* Warden, no.
in the parish of Sutton Coldfield, which he bought from p.""^' ' ^ '
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
at Drakelowe.
Lord Irnham on April 5, 1778: and an account of his
hospitality and courtesy to some visitors there in 1779 is
given in Sir Rich. Joseph Sulivan's Observations during
a Tour (Lond. 1780, pp. 141-2). At his death his Will
shows that he was owner of property in Nether Seile,
Donisthorpe, Clifton Camville, Sutton Coldfield, Shenstone,
Tamworth and parts of Derbyshire.
His life was that of a country rector in easy circumstances,
but he was extremely touchy in matters which concerned his
reputation, and peppery in temper. He was most indignant,
for instance, with his son William for not obe3'ing his wishes
in the matter of a profession '', and conducted his disagree-
ment ^ with his brother John with much asperity. It appears
that Mrs. Beardsley, Thomas's cousin, had by her Will dated
Oct. 6, 1778, settled property on Thomas to the exclusion
of his brothers and sisters, who were disappointed. John
undoubtedly after this spoke of his brother as ' Dr. Delegate
the Will-maker,' suggesting thereby that he had dictated
his aunt's Will : and a pretty quarrel arose, which lasted
till John's death in 1783. Their sister Mrs. Ball also shared
John's feelings, but as she was partly dependent on Thomas
after her husband's death, she endeavoured to keep on good
terms with both sides. John however obtained some com-
pensation, for Mr. Wall of Wensley, who had tried unsuc-
cessfully to act the part of a peacemaker, made him his
residuary legatee, as has been mentioned. But nothing
would reconcile the two brothers, and their old father, John,
was much exercised about it, and made frequent attempts
to heal the wound.
On April 17, 1785, Thomas had a fit of apoplexy at Bath
and died the next day*", and was buried in St. James's
Churchyard' there on April 23.
He married first on Feb. 7, 1757 \ Elizabeth eldest
daughter and sole heiress of the Rev. William Vincent of
Sheepy Magna in Leicestershire : she died on May 19,
1769'', in the thirty-seventh year of her age. Their children
were : —
Rev. Thomas Gresley (xxiii)
I. Nigel, born and privately baptized at Nether Seile on Jan. 7, lysS', Chap. V.
The details
and cliristened on Feb. 7 following, died on Jan. 9, 1761, and was buried
the same day at Nether Seile.
2. Dorothy, born at Nether Seile on April 21, 1759, baptized the same |^°"b^oks^
day, christened on May 13, died on Feb. 11, 1767, at Derby and was when not '
buried at St. Michael's in that town. otherwise
specified.
3. William (born Aug. 27, 1760), see p. 121.
4. Thomas, born Nov. 11, 1761, baptized the same day at Nether Seile,
christened on Dec. 13, was matriculated at Oxford from Christ Church
on May 2, 1780 (B.A. Jan. 27, 1784, M.A. May 21, 1801). He was
ordained Deacon on Aug. 3, 1784, and Priest in June 1786, after which he
went to Switzerland till November. At about this time or later he was
Chaplain to Charlotte Sophia Baroness Howe : but for a few 3'ears after
his return from abroad he appears to have led the life of a country
gentleman, hunting and coursing with avidity : until on June 30. 1790, he
was instituted to the living of Stretton-en-le-Field, which he resigned in
the following year, while on a foreign tour with his two sisters for the
health of the elder one. Thomas was always much interested in
greyhounds, and it was on this tour in Spain that he obtained from the
Royal Kennels at Lisbon the breed of Seile Pointers which became
afterwards well known. He returned to England on Aug. i, 1792. In
May 1794 he was made Chaplain of the new Volunteer Yeomen of
Leicestershire, and a sermon preached before them on Aug. 29 was
printed. After this he held several livings, Hinton on the Green in
Gloucestershire (Jan. 1797-Oct. 1802), Polesworth (given him by the
Lord Chancellor, Oct. 1802 till his death : the Vicarage was burnt down
on Jan. 18-19, 1803), and Nether Whitacre (Oct. 1804-1817). But in
Jan. 1807 he had a paralytic stroke, and was an invalid ever after, till
his death at Polesworth on March 19, 1817, from inflammation of the
lungs supervening on fits : the burial was on the 25th. He was never
married. Tradition says that he was rather a character in his way, and
well known for the excellence and antiquity of his port.
5. Richard, born and baptized Aug. 9, 1766, at Nether Seile, christened
on Sept. 12, went in 1776 to Mr. Wood's school at Loughborough and in
the next year to a school at Lichfield conducted by Mr. Price, whom his
pupil followed to Birmingham in 1779 on his appointment as master to
the Free School there. Next he became private pupil of Mr. Birch of
Thoresby in 1781, and in 1784 of Mr. Gunning at Sutton near Wood-
bridge. On June 25, 1785, he matriculated at Oxford from Christ Church,
and came into residence the next October, but took no degree, and
removed his name from the books on Oct. 28, 1787, on which occasion
he ' received advice from the Dean [Dr. Cyril Jackson] which I shall
always remember with thankfulness.' The next year he entered
Lincoln's Inn, which he exchanged for the Middle Temple in 1791 : was
called to the Bar on May 30, 1794, and became a Bencher in 1830. But
having some property and being fond of country life he determined to
ii6 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
leave London and practise as a provincial counsel, and we find him
living at Slieepy in 1794 and Coventry in 1796. About this time he was
engaged to be married to a Miss F. Wilson, only child of Capt. Wilson
of Tamworth, but she died on Dec. 15, 1799, and on May 22 in the
following year he took as his wife Caroline, youngest daughter of
Andrew Grote, of Threadneedle St. and Gloucester Place, Portman
Square, London, banker; an aunt of the Historian. His residence from
1800 till 1817 was at Kenihvorth, but on Oct. i in the latter year his wife
died in child-birth at the age of forty-five, and on Dec. 17 he moved
to Stowe House near Lichfield, which he had recently purchased. There
he lived for nearly eight years, having married on Dec. 5, 1820, his
second wife Mary, widow of Robert Drummond of Megginch Castle in
Perthshire, and eldest daughter of the Rev. Joseph Pliillimore, Vicar of
Orton on the Hill. The marriage took place at St. Martin's in the Fields,
London. On Oct. 12, 1829, he made another change, having bought
Meriden Hall in Warwickshire. This he only left after his son Richard's
death in Oct. 1837, 3^d seems to have resided for a time at 5 Waterloo
Place, Leamington, but took his wife for a tour abroad in 1838-9. On
Dec. 14, 1841, his wife had a paralytic stroke, not for the first time, died
the next day, and was buried at Fulham. At this time Richard was
living at II Oxford Square, London, where he died at the age of eighty-
four on March 27, 1850. His body was taken to Nether Seile for burial
(April 3), where there is a monument to his memory. He is well
remembered as a genial, courteous gentleman, full of information and
ready to impart it. One of his favourite pursuits was archery : he was
a Woodman of the Forest of Arden as early as 1787, and a member of
the Society of Kentish Bowmen in 1788, besides winning the ' Meriden
Arrow ' in 1793 and 1797. He was also a Major in the Warwickshire
Yeomanry.
His family of eight children are dealt with separately (see p. 148) : the
eldest was the well-known writer and divine, the Rev. William Gresley,
of Boyne Hill, near Maidenhead.
6. Elizabeth, born (and no doubt baptized) on March 4, 1763, christened
on April 5 following, was of weak health throughout her life, and lived
with her sister Mary at Nether Seile till Dec. 1789. At that time their
brother, the Rector of Seile, was growing up, and though invited to
remain they decided to leave and in Sept. 1790 took lodgings at
Worcester. In 1791 Elizabeth was in a decline, which the Spanish tour
with Thomas failed to arrest. She landed at Falmouth on Aug. i, 1792,
and stayed at the Hotwells near Bristol in October, but gradually sank,
and died on Nov. 28, 1792, at Nether Seile, where she was buried three
days later. Many of her and her sister Mary's letters are preserved at
Drakelowe, and show them both to have been lively and gay young
ladies, with a keen enjoyment of the pleasures of social life.
7. Mary, born and baptized Aug. i, 1764, christened on Oct. 10, lived
with her elder sister during the latter's lifetime, and after that (from 1793)
with her aunt at Tamworth until 1806, when they both moved to Seile.
Notebook.
■> Mon' at
N. Seile.
Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley (xxiv) 117
In 1815 she bought a house in St. John St., Lichfield, opposite the end Chap. V.
of Frog Lane and the Robin Hood Inn, where she lived till her death
there on Feb. 6, 1834 : she was buried at Nether Seile on the 13th.
8. Frances, born and baptized Apr. 29, 1769, died at Nether Seile on
July IS, 1770.
Dr. Gresley married secondly on March i, 1777™, at " Express
St. Clement's in the Strand, London, Elizabeth widow of j. w. Pycroft,
William Pycroft, surgeon, of Burton-on-Trent, and daughter the^ch^rdi
of Joseph Wilkes of Over Seile. She was baptized on Register.
Aug. 18, 1735, at Nether Seile, and her first marriage was
there solemnized on Sept. 23, 1757: she had issue by her
first husband (who died in 1762 or 1763), and herself died
on Aug. 26° or 27°, 1816, aged 81 : and was buried on the " Family
31st. The children of Dr. Gresley by his second wife were : —
9 (i). Charles, born June 20, 1777 p, and baptized on the 29th, died on
Oct. 5, 1785, at Solihull and was buried three days later at Nether Seile.
10 (2). John, baptized at Nether Seile March 23, 1779, christened on
April 18 following, died at Four Oaks on Dec. 27, 1782, and was buried
at Nether Seile on Jan. 3.
Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, 7th Baronet. XXiv
{b. 1753: d. 1808.)
Nigel Bowyer was born on March 18, 1753'', and educated i Family
at Manchester Grammar School ' : but we know httle of his ^°"=''''-
iTir i-ri>ii ■ • -,,•' Admitted
lile before his fathers death, except m connexion with his June 11,1763,
marriage. In 1780 however he was High Sheriff of Derby- tl^^^^^;
shire, and in 1783 obtained a private Act enabling him to iChctii. Soc.)
lease part of his Staffordshire estates to persons interested
in iron works. From this Act it appears that Nigel had
already interested himself in iron works on his estates,
following the example of his father. He also endeavoured to ^^ „ .
» Chafiers
afcd. (1876),
improve the pottery made at Gresley, which had previously Pottery
been a coarse brown ware made from a bluish-white super- p. 809 :^ and
ficial clay known as ' Rough Tom.' In 1795, in conjunction f"o^™jJ'oid
with Mr. Adderley, Sir Nigel established a porcelain factory = Gresley man
named
I'liomasGrcy,
given to tlic Rev. J. M. Gresley. ' Cliurch Gresley, Derbyshire. Porcelain. There was a
manulaclory ol china cstablialied at Gresley Hall, the scat of tlic Gresley family, in 1795. It was
ii8
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
" Ibid. '
209, cf.
' Nichols,
Leicester-
shire iii. pt. '.
936.
» Seward's
Letters iii.
343-
at Church Gresley, emplojnng Staffordshire men, and suc-
ceeded in producing the Gresley China, for which the Miss
Gresleys used to paint the patterns. Several sets of this
ware are still at Drakelowe, but the factory was unremu-
nerative, and was sold in 1825. About i^8o,ooo are said to
have been lost in this unfortunate venture.
Miss Seward was staying at Drakelowe in July 1794, and
testifies' that 'Sir Nigel knows well how to animate and
diversify the longest summer day.' She mentions also" that
he personally designed a monument in Lichfield Cathedral
erected to the memory of a Mr. Saville, a Vicar Choral, who
died in 1803.
At a bye-election early in 1799 Sir Nigel unsuccessfully
contested a Parliamentary seat at Lichfield in the Con-
servative interest, his successful opponent being Sir J.
Wrottesley. Among the public posts which he held were
the Recordership of Lichfield from 1802, a Trusteeship of
Raunston Hospital" in the same year, and a Governorship
of Appleby School "". At Drakelowe he kept open house,
and delighted the neighbourhood with masqued Balls. The
following verses by Miss Anna Seward ^ politely declining
an invitation to one of these Balls on Dec. 20, 1793, have been
printed in La Belle Assemblc'e or Court . . . Magazine, no.
57 (1829), but are here given from the autograph of the
authoress.
An Apology to Sir Nigel Gresley for not accepting his invitation to
his Masqued Ball [Dec. 20, 1793, at Drakelowe].
Ah! Gresley, skill'd to deck the festal rite
With Taste's coy art and Fancy's various light.
Soon when those Powers sliall lead the frolic train
Beneath the splendour of their chosen Fane,
for about twenty years, and the property was sold in 1825, not being
e. My informant, Mr. W. Brown, says, " Part of the buildings were
standing as stables in the farmyard, and were repaired in 1848. My mother told
me about the Miss Gresleys painting china for themselves when she went over the
works. Gresley Hall was bought by my father from the Gresleys, and was
occupied by my grandfather, and we retained it till 1851 ; we had many dozens of
wastrels, plates of very fine transparent china, white with a deep blue tree with
birds ; tliey were all said to be imperfect, or they would have received a second
colour in gold." '— W. Chaffers' Potkiy andPoicdmn, 8th ed., by F. Litchfield, Lond.,
1897, 8", pp. 803-4.
Sir Nigel Bozvyer Gresley (xxiv) 119
Where Drakelow, white as o'er the Vale she gleams Chap. V.
Eyes her fair form in Trent's pellucid streams,
Cou'd I amid the jocund band convene
Youth, Health or Spirit to the glittering scene,
Then shou'd my pen thy flattering summons greet
With gladdened heart and with acceptance meet.
But long precarious health. Life's faded bloom.
And recent ravage of the ruthless Tomb
Closed o'er my friends, forbid the pageant bower
To shine before me with magnetic power.
When graver pleasures and domestic mirth
Raise the soft Lares o'er thy glowing hearth,
Thine may it be to share the joys benign
More grateful to Existence's decline,
To view expanding mind with effluence warm
Illume thy loved Maria's youthful form,
To mark, around that ever liberal board,
Blessed by glad welcome from its graceful Lord,
With sportive glee his lovely infants sit
And bright Louisa lance [launch ?] the dart of Wit,
While most his sence and spirit render gay
The golden leisure of the social day.
Anna Seward.
Lichfield, Nov. 19, 1793.
Sir Nigel himself had literary tastes, and contributed some
papers about the Civil War as it affected Staffordshire to
Shaw's History of the County. At the end of his life
he resided at Bath, and died there of dropsy on March 26,
1808 y, and on April 4 was buried in the Abbey, where there j Manch.sch.
is a monument to his memory. aixfve.''^
Sir Nigel married first at Croxall on Jan. 26, 1776 ^ his « Bibic at
first cousin Wilmot (see p. 109), only child and heir of i^''a'"='°""=-
Sir Thomas Gresley the 5th Baronet. There are some
graceful verses 'On the Marriage of Nigel Bowyer Gresley
Esq. with Miss Gresley of Drakelow. By a Friend,' pro- • Mon'at
bably by Miss Seward: they begin 'As Gresley stood on ^ p^_^^'
Gallia's shore.' She died at Bristol on Dec. 3% 4'' or 5^^, Notebooks.
1790, and was buried at Gresley on Dec. 13. Elizabeth l[^r"J)''\
Gresley was living at Worcester at the time, and records Nichols'
that on Saturday Dec. 11 'the Funeral of Lady Gresley shir'c''tii! pt. 2,
pass'd thro' on their way to Gresley — the hearse, two '°"'-
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
■> See her
Moil' at
» Bible at
Drakelowe.
' His Mon« £
Whittington.
' Cath. Reg.
Gent. Mag.
xxviii. 850.
i Gresley
Reg.
" Gent. Mag.
Ixvi. 612, cf.
Ixxviii. 554.
' Family
Notebk.
" Gent. Mag.
N.S. XV. 107.
" Pedigree
annotated by
Rich.
Gresley.
° Gresley
Reg.
P Bible at
Drakelowe.
"1 Gent. Mag.
xcii. I. 368,
cf. Foster's
Alumni Oxon.
>■ Papers of
Charles
Gresley
Esq.
' Gent. Mag.
Ixxxvi. 1.568,
cl. 607 and
2. 504.
mourning coaches and six, their own chaise and pair, and
her sadle horse led with sadle covered with black and three
men on horseback. The family came to Worcester, and
stay'd all night.' She left three daughters, but in order
to keep the property and title together bequeathed the bulk
of the estates to any son of Sir Nigel by a future wife ^.
The issue of this marriage was as below : —
1. Wilmot Maria, born at Drakelowe April 7, 1778'', baptized at
Walton May 20, was married at Gresley Church on Sept. 21, 1802', to
the Rev. Thomas Levett, second son of Thomas Levett Esq. of Pack-
ington. He died without issue on Oct. 9, 1843, ^' Leamington in his
seventy-fourth year, and was buried at Whittington where he had been
for forty years curate. She died on Dec. 17, 1845?, at Packington, and
was buried at Whittington.
2. Emma Sophia, born at Lichfield April 17, 1785", and baptized in
the Cathedral on July 18'', was married at Scarborough on Sept. 15,
1808', to Richard Edensor Heathcote, M.P., her first cousin, and had
three children (see Heathcote pedigree). She died in Sept. 18138.
3. Elizabeth Augusta, born at Drakelowe Dec. 5, 1787 ^ christened at
Walton on Feb. 20, 1788 «, died on or about Oct. 4, 1808 ?, unmarried, and
was buried at Gresley on Oct. 10 J.
Sir Nigel married secondly Maria Eliza, only daughter
and heir of Caleb Garway Esq., of Worcester. The marriage
was at St. James's'', Piccadilly, London, on June 25, 1796'.
She died at Cheltenham on Nov. 9, 1840™, in her seventieth
year, having had four children : —
4 (i). Almeria Georgiana Eliza, born April 9, 1797°, christened at
Gresley Sept. 22' in that year, died on Jan. 6, 1798', and was buried at
Gresley on Jan. 10°.
5 (2). Louisa Georgiana Maria, born at Drakelowe on July 18, 1798 p,
married on March 2, 1822, at Leamington the Rev. Edward WoodyafJ M.A.,
and had eight children, of whom the eldest son was the Rev. George
Woodyaf, who on July 4, 1865, married Ella (Pendrill), and the eldest
daughter was Georgiana Louisa ■" who on Jan. 10, 1843, married the
Rev. Dennis L. Cousins of Cheltenham. Edward was of Kempsey in
Worcestershire, and son of George Woodyat of Ledbury.
6 (3). Roger (born Dec. 27, 1799), 8th Baronet, see p. 124.
7 (4). Nigel, born at Worcester on March 15, 1801° p, died of con-
sumption at the Hotwells near Bristol on May 19, 1816 ^ and was buried
at Church Gresley on the 29th ".
Rev. IVilliam Gresley (xxiv)
Rev. William Gresley, third cousin of the 7th Baronet, father XXIV
of the gth Baronet.
(6. 1760: d. 1829.)
William, born on Aug. 27, 1760*, and christened on Sept. ' Pedigree
26", went in February 1779 to be private pupil of Mr. Birch by"R^ch!
of Thoresby, and thence went to London to study for the Gresley.
Law under a Mr. Russell'', but in spite of his father's Notebk.^
strenuous insistence could not ' settle his mind to that pro- » Letter of
fession",' and on June 29, 1781, matriculated at Oxford from Hanna"h
University College, taking his degree of B.A. on July ^■,'^^''^^\^^^
9, 1785: he appears however to have been entered as atOrakeiowe.
a barrister of the Middle Temple in 1783"'. When his father " Foster's
died he finally decided to change his profession : and after """' *°"'
being on Sept. 25, 1785, ordained Deacon and on the
Oct. 2 following Priest", he was at once inducted into the
Rectory of Seile, a position which he held till his death.
At first his two sisters kept house for him, but they left at
the close of 1789.
In 1798 at Gresley he married his third cousin Louisa
Jane daughter of Sir Nigel Gresley the 6th Baronet, and
the dispositions of the two are vividly characterized by Miss
Anna Seward in a private letter of March 13, 1798, ' Louisa
Gresley, the elegant, the witty, the eccentric, the agreeable,
is going to marry her clerical kinsman and namesake, of
silence so inflexible and solemn*; and on July 3 when the
wedding was over she writes that Mrs. Gresley never looked
' so healthy or so handsome,' and that she ' has animated her
once statue-like husband with the vital light of love and
happiness.'
When his brother-in-law Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley died
in 1808, William found himself guardian of Sir Roger, and
had much trouble in connexion with his education, until
at last in 1820 he broke with the trustees and Lady Gresley,
and resigned the guardianship. His later life was probably
uneventful and quiet, except for two accidents which pre-
vented him from leading an active life. On Dec. 14, 1814,
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
'■ V. his thigh was broken by a kick from his horse, and again
broken on April 26 of the following year by a fall on the
gravel walk in front of his house — on which occasion it
was so unskilfully set by two Ashby surgeons that he was
a cripple for life. His death came on Oct. 3, 1829, at
Nether Seile, where he was buried on Oct. 10 : the following
a. 571- character of him in the Gentleman's Magazine'^ is perhaps
particular enough to deserve reprinting: — 'Mr. Gresley was
alike distinguished by firmness and independence, and by
the milder virtues of benevolence, humility and piety : his
life exemplified the character of a faithful parochial minister
and an English country gentleman.'
On May 5, 1798, as has been mentioned, he married his
y cousin Louisa Jane Gresley. She died on April 20, 1806 ^,
and was buried at Seile on the 26th 5". Their issue, besides
a still-born son on Dec. 26, 1799 ^ was : —
1. Louisa Elizabeth, bom Sept. 11, i8oiy, christened Nov. 15^, who
married on Julj' 26, 18255', at Seile the Rev. Spencer Madan, and had
ten children : see pedigree xl. She died in the Close at Lichiield on
Dec. 22, 1861 y.
2. William Nigel (born March 25, 1806"), 9th Baronet, see p. 129.
William married secondly on Aug. 29, 181 1, Mary the
only daughter of Thomas Thorp Esq. of Over Seile and
Loughborough, banker. After her husband's death she left
Nether Seile with her family and went to live at Over
Seile with her father, who died on Jan. 15, 1840, and was
buried at Nether Seile on the 23rd. Mrs. Gresley herself
died at Over Seile on July 19, 1869. Their issue (see ped.
vii.) was : —
3 (i). Frances Mary, born June 20, 1812, lived at Nether Seile until
her father's death, and for the rest of her life at Over Seile, where she
died unmarried on Sept. 17, 1888. She was distinguished for beauty,
grace and intelligence, and had considerable powers of painting and
drawing.
4 (2). Harriet, born Sept. 25, 1813 : married the Rev. George Madan :
see pedigree xl.
5 (3). Emma, born Dec. 20, 1814, died May 8, 1815.
6 (4). John Morewood, born July 6, 1816, educated at .\pplcb3- School,
entered at Harrow in October 1830, but after a term there was injured
Rev. Wtlliam Gresley (xxiv) 123
(on Jan. lo, 1831) by an explosion of fireworks in his pocket at Nether
Seile, and did not return to school, but went as a private pupil to the
Rev. Eccles J. Carter at Bathford. On June 18, 1835, he matriculated at
Oxford from Exeter College (B.A. from St. Mary Hall, May 21, 1840,
M.A. Jan. 23, 1845), and took Holy Orders (deacon in 1841, priest in
1842). From 1841 to 1847 and again from i860 to 1863 he was Curate of
Seile, and in the interval Rector: and from Nov. 1863 till his death
on May 15, 1866, Master of Etwall Hospital near Repton. He was an
active Secretary (and one of the founders) of the Leicestershire Archi-
tectural and Archaeological Society (1855-60), and Secretary and main-
stay of the Anastatic Drawing Society (1855-64), as well as a strong
Conser\-ative and an energetic parish priest. Memoirs of him will be
found in the Gentleman's Magasine, 3rd Series ii. 114, and (by O. Jevvitt)
in the Reliquary for July 1866. Besides many archaeological papers he
accumulated with the utmost industry most valuable collections for
a projected ' Stemmata Gresleiana : Genealogies of the Family of Gresley
and their Connections ; from the time of Rollo ist Duke of Normandy
to the reign of Victoria of England' : see App. E. Without them the
present work could not have been undertaken.
On Jan. 23, 1849, at Ashby he married Penelope (born Aug. 12, 1827),
eldest daughter of the Rev. Marmaduke Vavasour and his wife Mary
Ann (St. John) : she was a great-granddaughter of the well-known
antiquary Dr. William Stukeley, and died on Feb. 22, 1858, of pulmonary
phthisis, at Bournemouth. Their sons are:— Nigel Walsingham (born
Jan. 31, 1850, educated at Repton, matriculated at Oxford from
Exeter College on April 10, 1869, B.A. 1872, after honours in the School
of Law and Modern History, M.A. 1876 : at Cuddesdon College : deacon
1873, priest 1874: Curate of Ashbourne 1873-6, of Boyne Hill 1877, of
Newport Pagnell 1877, of Dursley 1878-9 : Vicar of Milbourne St. Andrew,
1879-87: Rector of Dursley from 1887: Rural Dean of Dursley, 1896:
on Oct. 29, 1878, he married at Cheltenham Jane Charlotte, youngest
daughter of the Rev. Arthur Drummond, widow of Henry Scott
Gresley Esq., see p. 152), Geoffrey Ferrers (born Aug. 17, 1851 : ordained
deacon 1878, priest 1879 ; Curate of Newport Pagnell 1878-83, since then
a clergyman in Cape Colony, and chaplain on Robben Island in that
Colony, now Vicar of Observatory Road, Capetown), William Stukeley
(born at Ashby Nov. 7, 1852: in 1889 he married Maria Elizabeth,
daughter of James Archer, and has issue, Stukeley Marmaduke, born
1890, Nigel Morewood, born 1892: he now resides in Erie, Pennsylvania,
U. S. A.), Roger St. John (born June 19, 1854, educated at St. Edward's
School, Oxford, at Repton and at the Salisbury Theological College ;
ordained deacon 1877, priest 1879: Curate of Milbourne St. Andrew
1877-79, aad of St. John's, Glastonbury, 1879-81, and of Rowbarton
near Taunton from 1881 : Hon. Canon of Wells Cathedral), Lawrence
Staflbrd (born Dec. 4, 1855, educated at Repton, matriculated at Oxford
from Exeter College on April 9, 1875. B.A. IVlay 31, 1879, after honours
in History, M.A. May 11, 1882: ordained deacon 1878, priest 1881 :
124 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Chap. V. Curate of Ashover 1879-82, and of Christ Church, Battersea, London
1882-5: Vicar of Birdsall in Yorkshire from 1885).
7 (5). Charles, born and baptized at Nether Seile on Nov. 28, 1817,
christened on March 25 following, was at school at the Rev. W. Hutchins',
Winifred House, Sion Hill, Bath : and afterwards articled to Mr. Whately
a well-known solicitor in Birmingham. Since 1847 he has been Registrar
and Chapter Clerk of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield. On Oct. 21,
1852, he married, at Goostrey, Augusta Catherine (born Feb. 6, 1825)
youngest daughter of Egerton Leigh Esq. of the West Hall, High Leigh,
and Jodrell Hall in Cheshire and his wife Wilhelmina Sarah second
daughter of George Stratton Esq. of Great Tew in Oxfordshire. After
their marriage they lived at the Moat House in Lichfield, but in 1853
moved to their present residence in the Close. Their children
are :— Wilhelmina Mary (born Sept. 28, 1853), Isabel Beatrice (born
Jan. 19, 1855), Charles Egerton (born Oct. 26, 1856, died April 25, 1857),
Augusta Penelope (born Feb. 12, 1858), Herbert Leigh (born July 27,
1859, died Aug. 26, 1859), Nigel Egerton (born Aug. 5, i860, educated at
Radley College, matriculated at Oxford from University College on
Oct. 13, 1879, B.A. 1883, after honours in the School of Law and Modern
History : now farming a ranche in Wyoming, U. S. A.), Eleanor Louisa
(born March 3, 1862), Rosamond Evelyn fborn June 23, 1863), Charles
Vincent (born August 20, 1865 : educated at Radley College : matriculated
at Cambridge from Jesus College, B.A. 1890, M. A. 1899: ordained
deacon 1895, priest 1897 • Curate of Wincobank near Sheffield],
Margaret Morewood (born August 21, 1867).
8 (6). Maria, born Jan. 25, 1821, lived at Nether Seile and Over Seile
with her sister Frances till the death of the latter : since 1890 she has
resided at the Moat House, Lichfield.
XXV Sir Roger Gresley, 8th Baronet.
(b. 1799: (/. 1837.)
Bible at Sir Roger was born on Dec. 27, 1799 ^ at Drakelowe, and
■akeiowe. baptized at Grcsley on Jan. 3, 1800 ^ He was only eight
:g. years old when he succeeded to the Baronetcy, on March
26, 1808, and his education was the subject of much anxiety
to his mother and the trustees, who were not in agreement
on the subject. Roger was a Ward of Chancery, and the
trustees appointed by the Court and his guardian (the
Rev. Wilham Gresley, who was his uncle by marriage)
strongly urged that the boy should be sent to Westminster :
but Lady Gresley insisted with much tartness and eccen-
tricity that he should be kept at home, and her firmness
and asperity prevailed. However he was sent to Oxford,
St'r Roger Gresley (xxv) 125
where he matriculated from Christ Church as a gentleman
commoner on Oct. 17, 1817, but left in 1819 without taking
a degree.
At Christ Church he became acquainted with the sons of
the Earl of Coventry, and occasionally stayed with them at
Croome the family seat at Severn-Stoke in Worcestershire.
There he first met Lady Sophia whom he afterwards
married, but when the match was proposed to Lady Gresley
it met with her fierce opposition. She obtained an order
of the Court of Chancery that Sir Roger should not quit
the country without its consent, and that Lord Coventry
should not allow him to marry his daughter without similar
permission. By these and other means the wedding was
postponed until the young Baronet was of age, and actually
took place on June 2, 182 1, but Lady Gresley refused to
be present or to see the bride.
From about 1826 Sir Roger Gresley engaged in public
life, and also produced several literary works. In that year
he was High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and unsuccessfully
contested Lichfield in the Conservative interest, obtaining
356 votes against Sir G. Anson's 474 and the Hon. G. J. V.
Vernon's 411. About this time he was also Captain of the
Staffordshire Yeomanry, and Groom of the Bedchamber
to the Duke of Sussex. In 1830, besides being elected an
F.S.A., on Dec. 9, he was more successful in his political
campaign, being returned on Aug. 5 as Conservative Member
for the City of Durham (M. A. Taylor, Liberal, 546 votes:
Sir R. Gresley, 486: W. R. C. Chaytor, Liberal, unsuc-
cessful, 436) : but he was unseated in the following year,
when he again obtained a seat at a bye-election for New
Romney. In 1832 he was unsuccessful in South Derby-
shire, his old opponent Mr. Vernon polling 3036 and Lord
Waterpark 2839, against Sir Roger's 1952: but this result
was reversed in Jan. 1835, when the same three contested
the same constituency, and Sir Roger obtained 2,495, his
Conservative colleague Sir George Crewe 2517, but Vernon
1951 and Waterpark 1910. Onl}- once again did he contest
126
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
" Battle
Abbey Roll
" Cox's
Derbyshin
Churches i
371.
"* J. Ashton's
When Will.
IV was King
(1896, p. 179.
' The
paragraphs
are derived
from notes
furnished by
Sir Robert
Gresley.
a seat, at the close of his life, when South Derbyshire
rejected him in July 1837.
In the intervals of poHtical life Sir Roger lived a good
deal in Italy and Paris. The Duchess of Cleveland is
responsible for the statement '' that he ' parcelled out ' his re-
maining property 'in such a manner that by annual sales it
should last him his life ; but he died a comparatively young
man.' This may be true : as early as 1828 he sold the site
of the priory of Gresley" as well as the Castle Hill and
the Hall, both at Gresley: and later he sold various rights
of minerals to his own solicitor Mr. IVIousley, whose executors
were made to refund the purchase money by legal decisions
of July 10, 1858, and April 29, 1859. Sir Roger incurred
very considerable debts, partly no doubt in connexion with
his parliamentary contests. Incidentally we find"^ that he
was one of the managing committee of Crockford's Club,
where gambling went on, in 1834. In 1836 he sustained
a severe injury by a fall from his horse, which brought on
paralysis, from which he never entirely recovered : and on
Oct. 12, 1837°, he died suddenly^ at Drakelowe, leaving
no issue, and was buried on the 21st at Church Gresley.
Accounts of his life will be found in the Gentleman' s
Magazine for 1837, pt. ii, p. 649, and in the Dictionary of
National Biography. Sir Roger adopted the spelling
'Greisley' for his name. His Library was sold by auction
in London on May 22-4, 1838.
Sir Roger' was one of the Baronets who first called
attention to the anomalies and encroachments on the original
charter of their order which had been from time to time
committed by the Crown. After his death his cousin and
successor the Rev. Sir Nigel Gresley also interested him-
self in the matter, and was one of Sir R. Brown's famous
committee of Privileges. In the light of the present revival
of the movement it is worthy of note that Sir George Gresley
the 1st Baronet was the first to call King James's attention
to the question a few months after the institution of the
order, and that after the lapse of more than two centuries
Sir Roger Gresley (xxv) 127
his descendants Sir Roger, Sir Nigel and now Sir Robert
should take up the question.
There are a few people still alive who can remember
Sir Roger, and they describe him as tall and extremely-
good looking, with a most high-bred courteous manner. He
had marked ability, though he never did himself justice in
Parliament, an excellent linguist and a man of great taste.
In politics a strong Tory, intensely and perhaps inordinately
proud of the ancient family of which he was the head,
hating with every instinct of his nature the democratic
tendencies which even in his days were commencing to
make themselves felt, he spent the greater part of his short
life and the greater part of his fortune in contested elections
where he vigorously and eloquently pleaded the cause of
those principles, of the truth and wisdom of which he was
so strongly convinced. Altogether his was a striking per-
sonality, and one characteristic of his time. A politician,
a dandy, a virtuoso, a sportsman, a country gentleman, at
the same time devoted to sport and to literary pursuits,
an antiquary, a Pope's biographer and yet a strong Pro-
testant, and a man of fashion, he exhibited a combination
of qualities not often met with, even in those days when
the exigencies of political life did not engross so much of
a man's time, and when society was so much more exclusive
and cultivated.
Sir Roger's printed works were:— i. A Letter to the
Rt. Hon. Robert Peel on Catholic Emancipation (Lond.,
1827, 8') : 2. A Letter to John Earl of Shrewsbury, in reply
to his Reasons for not taking the Test (Lond., 1828, 8°) :
3. Sir Philip Gasteneys, a Minor (Lond., 1829, 8°: a tale
directed against modern Roman Catholicism), and 4. The
Life and Pontificate of Gregory vii (Lond., 1832, 8': an
account of Hildebrand, reviewed in the Loudon Literary
Gazette of May 26, 1832).
On June 2, 1821, he married The Lady Sophia Catherine,
youngest daughter of the 7th Earl of Coventry, born Nov.
30, 1801 : the wedding ceremony took place by special
128 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. V. license, with the consent of the bride's father (she being
a minor) 'in the dwelling house of the Earl of Coventry
■ Hari. Soc, in Piccadilly 8,' in the parish of St. George's Hanover
ix^f.^l^s! Square, London. She married secondly on July i6, 1839,
Henry Des Voeux Esq., eldest son of Sir Charles Des
Voeux, Bar'. : and died on March 29, 1875 having lived at
Drakelowe till her death. The only child of Sir Roger and
■ Family The Lady Sophia was :—
Motebk.
Gresley Sophia Editha, born Oct. 4, 1823 h, who died Nov. 2 in the same year
Reg. and was buried at Gresley' on the 8th of the same month.
CHAPTER VI
THE LINE OF BARONETS FROM 1837 TO
THE PRESENT TIME
The Rev. Sir William Nigel Gresley, 9th Baronet, first
cousin (by his mother) of the 8th Baronet.
(b. 1806 : d. 1847.)
The Squires and Rectors of Seile in the eighteenth
century, succeeding each other in that quiet village, can
hardly have imagined that their descendants would take the
place of the elder branch and carry on the long and un-
broken male line of Gresley descent. They and their
families were always on good terms with the owner of
Drakelowe for the time being, but the relationship of the
heads of the two branches seemed to be drifting from second
to third cousin and from third to fourth. It is singular that
the intermarriage of a Rector of Seile with a daughter of
the elder hne immediately preceded the transference of the
Baronetcy, so that the subject of our present attention,
Sir William Nigel Gresley, was a son of a sister of the
7th Baronet, as if Nature wished to provide that the
younger branch should nevertheless be in direct and close
descent from the elder.
William Nigel was born and baptized at Nether Seile
on March 25, 1806, and was educated first at Mr. Ward's
School at Ravenstone in Derbyshire (from 1813), and then
at Westminster, where he was admitted on Jan. 15, 1817.
On Sept. I, 1821, he had an accident by which he lost
I30
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
" This pa
graph is
from note
furnished
Sir Robe
Gresley.
a thumb, his gun having burst. On May 4, 1824, he
matriculated at Oxford from Christ Church, and took his
degree, as his half-brother John did subsequently, from
St. Mary Hall (on May 27, 1829). In 1830 he was ordained
deacon and priest, and in September of that year he
succeeded to his father's position in the Rectory of Seile,
which he held until his death.
On October 12, 1837, he succeeded to the Baronetcy,
and ultimately by Sir Roger's Will, dated May 2, 1837, to
all his estates, except that certain properties were to be
sold to pay debts, and except also life-interest (in Drakelowe)
of the Lady Sophia Gresley, who did not die till 1875.
Accordingly the Lullington property was sold in 1838 for
;fg8,ooo to C. R. Colville Esq., who also in 1840 bought
the impropriate Rectory of the same place. Of Sir Nigel
hardly anything is recorded of permanent interest, and he
lived quietly at Seile until his death on Sept. 3, 1847 : he
was buried there on Sept. 10. One sermon by him preached
at Nether Seile on Dec. 27, 1840, in memory of Miss
Elizabeth Pycroft, was printed in 1841. An account of him
will be found in the Gentlcmans Magazine for 1848 (N.S.,
vol. xxix) p. 84.
Those persons who remember Sir Nigel* say he was
a man much beloved, of extremely high spirits and, before
his health broke down, devoted to hunting ; but the expenses
incident to a large family combined with ill health compelled
him to give it up many years before his death. At one
time it was his habit, whenever he went to Freeford to see
his old friend and schoolfellow Col. Dyott, to go straight
across country.
He married on March 24, 1831'', in Lichfield Cathedral,
Georgina Ann, second daughter of George Reid Esq. of
Watlington Hall in Norfolk, see pedigree Ixiv. Lady
Gresley now resides at Barton under Needwood, in Stafford-
shire, about four miles from Drakelowe. The children of
Sir William and Lady Gresley, who were all born at Nether
Seile Hall, were: —
Sir Thomas Gresley (xxvi) 131
1. Thomas, born Jan. 17, 1832, the loth Baronet : see below. Chap. VI.
2. Louisa Mary, born April 6, 1833'' : for many years an invalid.
3. Nigel, born Aug. 18, 1834 •>, educated at Rossall School and Trinity
College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1858. In the next
year he was ordained, and for a short time Curate of Chewton Mendip
in Somerset, and then from i860 till his death on Jan. 29, 1897, Rector of
Seile, but for the last twenty years of his life an invalid, and for the
last ten blind. On April 27, 1864, he married Joanna Beatrice, youngest
daughter of John Wilson Esq. of Barton under Needwood, and had five
children : — George Nigel (born Feb. 19, 1865, educated at Clifton College,
and Selwyn College, Cambridge, B.A. 1886, Curate of St. George's
Darlaston and of Glascote near Tamworth, Vicar of Horsley Woodhouse
in Derbyshire from 1896), Arthur Spencer (born Sept. 23, 1867, in business
in Liverpool), Beatrice Georgina (born Aug. 10, 1866), Nigel Bowyer
(born Sept. 18, 1870, now in the Bank of British North America, New
York), Herbert Nigel (born June 19, 1876, a Mechanical Engineer).
4. William Lee, born Jan. 26, 1836'", educated at Rossall, a member of ' Bible at
the Free Foresters' Cricket Club in 1856 and i859<i, Lieutenant in the Drakelowe.
Staifordshire Militia and Honorary Major of the 4th BattaHon North tYf 'd'^'
Staffordshire Regiment. He died from the effects of falling accidentally p^^^
into the fire, on Feb. i, 1888, unmarried. Foresters
5. Sophia Amelia, born Nov. 29^ (not 18^), 1837, died April 6, 1853, '^-^^^i' p^[^q'
at the Close, Lichfield. , Family
6. Georgina Wilmot, born Aug. 13, 1839', was married on April 9, Notebook.
1863, at Barton, to Henry Cunliffe Shawe Esq. of Weddington Hall near ' Bible at
Nuneaton, born Aug. 20, 1833, only son of Samuel Pole Shawe Esq. of Drakelowe.
Maple Hayes in Staffordshire. Their children are:— Edith Marjr (born
July 28, 1864), Laura Georgina (born Dec. 9, 1865, died May 11, 1875),
Caroline (born May 3, 1867, died in infancy), Eleanor Grace (born Jan.
30, 1872), Henry Nigel Pole (born Jan. 30, 1874), Margaret Sophia (born
April 13, 1875, died in infancj'), and Charles (born Nov. 15, 1878).
7. Frances, born and died March 20, 1841 ".
8. Agnes Elizabeth, born Aug. 17, 1842', resides at Barton.
9. Arthur Francis, born Sept. 4, 1844', now Commander in the Royal
Navy, resides at Barton.
Sir Thomas Gresley, loth Baronet. XXVI
(b. 1832 : d. 1868.)
Sir Thomas was born on Jan. 17, 1832 s, at Nether Seile « Bible at
Hall, and baptized on Feb. 24''. He was educated at first by ^ 5^;^^°^'^'
several private tutors, at Asperton ' near Ledbury, at Newton 1 Family
Longueville* by the Rev. — Hughes, and from October N°'«book.
1840 at the Rev. Charles Fletcher's pri\'ate school at South-
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
i This
paragraph is
from notes
furnished by
Sir Robert
Gresley.
well*. In August 1845 he entered the 'School House' at
Rugby, then under Dr. Tait, and after leaving in 1850, went
into the Army and became Captain of the ist Dragoon
Guards, and Aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
He had succeeded to the Baronetcy on Sept. 3, 1847. Much
of the family property was sold by him, including Coton Park
in 1853, land in Derby and Church Gresley in 1854 and 1857,
and land in Linton in the latter year.
For a brief period at the close of his short life he repre-
sented South Derbj^shire in Parliament, being elected on
Nov. 21, 1868, but he died on Dec. 18 in the same year at
Shipley' in Derbyshire, and was buried at Cauldwell, where
he had resided during his married life.
Sir Thomas Gresley's memory-* is still held in affectionate
regard by all who knew him, and his sad and premature
death within a month of his election made a great sensation
at the time, not only from the sad circumstances of the
case, but also from the respect and admiration he had per-
sonally inspired. This election was a great victory for the
Conservatives, as both the sitting members were Liberals
and both lost their seats. Like his father he was devoted
to hunting, and like Sir Roger to Art, and he was one of
the committee of gentlemen who acted as judges of the
works of Art exhibited at South Kensington in 1862. After
leaving the army he lived entirely in the country at Cauld-
well, which is about 2\ miles from Drakelowe and was lent
to him by Sir H. Des Vceux; there he devoted himself to
the useful but unostentatious pursuits of a country gentle-
man, especially county business, until his death in 1868.
On Feb. 28, 1854, he married by special license at the
Chapel Roj'al, Dublin Castle, Laura Anne, eldest daughter
of Captain Robert Griffith Williams (2nd son of Sir Robert
Williams, 9th Baronet, and Comptroller of the Household
to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), whose elder brother
assumed the additional name of Bulkeley on inheriting the
estates of Lord Bulkeley. She now resides at 55 Great
Cumberland Place, London.
Sir Robert Gresley (xxvii) 133
Their children were : —
1. Laura, born Aug. i, 1856, at Laputa Lodge, Ballyshannon : she died
there on Aug. 6 of the same year, and was buried on the 8th.
2. Walter, born and died Oct. 15, 1864.
3. Robert (born Feb. i, 1866), nth Baronet, see below.
Sir Robert Gresley, nth Baronet.
{b. 1866.)
Sir Robert was born on Feb. i, 1866, at 28 Upper * BiW
Grosvenor St., London'', and succeeded to the Baronetcy
when two years old. He was educated at Eton, and was
a Lieutenant in the Derbyshire Militia. He is a Deputy
Lieutenant for Derb3^shire.
On June 6, 1893, he married at St. Margaret's, Westminster,
The Lady Frances Louisa, eldest child of the 8th Duke
of Marlborough, born Sept. 15, 1870.
Their children are : —
1. Nigel, born April 22, 1894, at 55 Great Cumberland Place, London.
2. Laurence, born March 3, 1896, at the same place.
Drakelowe.
CHAPTER VII
THE COLLATERAL BRANCHES FROM THE SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY
In most families which can show an antiquity and stability
comparable to those of the Greslej's, there are a large
number of collateral or cadet branches, which consist of
descendants of the younger sons of the main line of the
family. In the present case we find fewer than might be
expected, and only four which need a separate and detailed
account in the present chapter : of which one arises in the
seventeenth century, two in the eighteenth and one in the
nineteenth. These are (A) the IVoixcstershire and Bristol
Gresleys, who spring from John, third son of Sir Thomas
Gresley Kt. (Sir Thomas d. 1610, see p. 69) : (B) the
Australian Gresleys, who are probably descended from
Robert, sixth son of Thomas Gresley of Nether Seile
(Thomas d. 1743, see p. 104) : (C) the North Wales and
Liverpool Gresleys, from Robert, sixth son of John Gresley
of Nether Seile (John d. 1783): (D) the family of Richard
Gresley, fourth son of Dr. Thomas Gresley of Nether Seile
(Thomas d. 1785). These will now be dealt with in turn,
and it is remarkable that so far as the records are known,
and they are considerable in extent, one of these lines is
extinct in the male line, and one is represented by one
gentleman without children.
After these have been treated, a list will be given (E)
A. Worcestershire and Bristol Gresleys 135
of the Gresley families who are not known to be connected
with the Drakelowe line, while the families which spell their
name Greasley and probably came from the Nottingham-
shire village of that name will be briefly touched on in
Appendix D. It has been recently calculated from the
Somerset House Registers of Gresleys or Greasleys that
there are probably at this time about one hundred Gresleys
alive and five hundred Greasleys, but a very small proportion
are in any way connected with the family with which this
book is concerned. It must be remembered that until
surnames became fossilized and descended regularly from
father to son, that is to say till the fifteenth century, Thomas
the son of John might be Thomas Johnson, and his son might
be Thompson. So too any man, whatever his station of life,
who lived in Gresley might, as soon as he left the village and
settled elsewhere, bear a name of the form John of Gresley,
and thus bear no relation whatever to the Gresley family
who were Lords of the Manor of Gresley. There must be
hundreds of Gresleys or Greasleys now in England who
have no right at all to claim kinship with the Gresleys of
Drakelowe, and one of the four collateral branches which
follow cannot fully prove its connexion. In any case, all
four branches parted company from the main stem not less
than three generations ago.
A. TIic IVoxcstersIiirc and Bristol Gresleys.
John Gresley, fourth son of Sir Thomas Gresley, Kt., of
Drakelowe, and brother of the first Baronet, was probably
born in 1581 (see p. 72), and after marrying, on April 20,
1611, at Withington, Joan daughter and heir of Jasper More
of Larden in Shropshire, resided chiefly at Shrewsbury. He
had four sons, i. Ferrers, a lawyer, who lived at Welsford in
the parish of Langford Bondville in Somerset : he married
Elizabeth (Brooke)", but died without issue in Nov. 1691. • Somerset
2. Henry, see below : 3. John, of whom 1 know nothing :
4. Reginald, who died young.
Wills 4th Ser.
136 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Chap. VII. Hcnry Greslcy, a translator and writer of some repute,
xix ^"^^ horn on Nov. 9, 1613, and educated at Westminster and
Christ Church, Oxford, (matr. Sept. i, 1634: B.A.April 11,
1638: M.A. July 8, 1641: incorporated at Cambridge in
1651). When the Parliamentary Visitors came to Oxford
in 1647, he seems to have been in residence and to have
refused to submit, in consequence of which he was
expelled, in March 165?. He then travelled in France as
tutor to the sons of the Earl of Clare. At the Restoration
he was given the Rectory of Severn Stoke in Worcester-
shire, and held it and (from 1672) a prebend in Worcester
Cathedral, until his death on June 8, 1678. His writings
were i. an English translation of Balzac's Prince (Lond.,
1648, 8°), 2. an English translation of J. F. Senault's Christian
Man (Lond., 1650, 4°). He also contributed poems to the
Oxford Verses on the death of Viscount Bayning in 1638,
and to the Horti Carolini Rosa Altera in 1640. An
" Brit. Mus. English '' and a Latin '' poem by him are also preserved in
13 A. xifi'. foi. manuscript.
7^: ibid, iviii, j^g ^y^g j^yj(,g married, first (June 5, 1655) to Mary daughter
of Edward Allye of Hatfield in Worcestershire, who died in
April 1664, secondly (April 16, 1667) to Eleanor (daughter
of Gervase Buck and Mary his wife) who died on Jan. 17,
170^, aged 64. By his first wife he had five children,
I. a daughter born in March 165I, who died the same day,
probably twin with 2. Mary who died in 1657: 3. Henry,
born in 1658, died unmarried: 4. Charles, born in 1660, see
below: 5. Edward, born Feb. 24, i66i, who died young.
By his second wife he had four children, 6. Anne, born
Jan. 19, 166J-, who died young: ^. John, born Dec. 22, 1669,
who died unmarried at Strensham on April 15, 1718:
8. IValsingham, born Aug. 26, 1672, died in India in about
1713 : 9. Francis, whose family requires a separate paragraph.
XX Francis Gresley, the ninth child of Henry Gresley, was
^Sev. Stoke ^^^.^ ^^ Stoke on Feb. 26, 167^ ", and is usually described
<! Nash's Wor- as a Centenarian, but as he certainly died on Nov. 11, 1773 ^
cestershire ii. ^^ ^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^\^, ^Q jjg matriculated at Oxford from
A. Worcestershire and Bristol Gresleys 137
Magdalen Hall on March 23, 169'^, aged 16 (B.A. 1694, Chap. vii.
M.A. 1697). In 170^ he was at Naunton Beauchamp", but « Admin", of
from April 3, 1706 till his death, rector of Strensham in Gresil-yVcb."
Worcestershire*. He married Elizabeth daughter of Philip ■!' ^oi-
Barton Esq. and sister of Dr. Philip Barton, Canon of
Christ Church, Oxford; and had four sons and four
daughters: — i. Francis, born April 24, 1712, successively
Vicar of Charlton in Wiltshire and of Grendon Underwood
in Buckinghamshire, where he died without issue on Dec. 28,
1778, having married Mary Lipscomb: -2,. Philip, born June
26, 1713, an attorney at Pershore, who married on Dec. 23,
1745', Elizabeth Surman and died in Feb. 1763, leaving only ' Pershore
two children : — Elizabeth, born Sept. 5, 1747, buried on '^^'
July 29, 1758, at Pershore, and Philip, born Nov. 29, 1751,
who married Ann and lived at High Park near Droitwich,
but died without issue on Sept. 6, 1825. Thus ended the
male line descended from Francis Gresley, but the Philip
who died in 1825 by his will left his property to Robert
Archibald Douglas Esq., son of General Archibald Douglas
of Witham in Essex, on condition that he assumed the name
of Gresley. Mr. Douglas who was Lord of the Manor of
Sal warp, lived thenceforward at High Park, bearing the
name of R. A. Douglas Gresley, but died without issue on
Feb. 13, 1885 », having married in 1833 Rebecca Maria b j. j.
daughter of Thomas Harvey Esq. of Portland Place, visiTaTionof
London : she died on March 3, 1876. Robert's sister was ^^''"'5' """"^
the Helen Douglas who married Dr. Gaisford Dean of U893), p. 8.
Christ Church, Oxford. Francis Gresley's third son was
3. Henry, born May 22, 1714 (of Wadham College, Oxford,
matr. March 16, 173.^, B.A. 1735, M.A. 1738, Fellow of
Wadham 1741-50, Rector of St. Peter-le-Bailey, Oxford,
1743, and of Tarent Hinton in Dorset from July 18, 1749,
till his death in Nov. 1773): 4. Anne, born June 2, 1716:
5. Elizabeth, born Apr. 21, 1717 : 6. Eleanor, born May 28,
1721, died April 1785: 7. Sarah, born July 12, 1722: Q.John,
born March 16, 1723, who died young. We now revert to
Charles third son of Henry Gresley.
to Chart.
Jan. 19, i68|
March ;
138 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Charles Gresley, baptized Aug. 26, 1660, lived at Bristol,
and his monument in St. Thomas's Church there states
that he died on July 20, 1735. He married twice, i. Jane,
" Admin", of ju'e Cannou, of Fitzhead in Somerset who died in 1688 (T)"",
2. Joan""*, widow of John Blinman, of St. Decuman 's,
Somerset. By his two wives Charles had twelve children, as
^ She died below, of whom the first two only appear to have been by the
first wife. The twelve were:— i. Thomas, born before 1695,
married on Nov. 8, 1709, at St. Thomas's Church, Bristol,
Joan (Blinman), daughter of his step-mother by a former
husband: Thomas died in September 1727, and Joan in
1748, having had five children, Robert (buried Aug. 26,
1713), the Rev. Blinman Gresley (who matriculated at
Oxford from Trinity College on March 23, 173', aged 16,
"** Until his B.A. 1735, M.A. 1738: Vicar of Banwell "^ ** in Somerset:
Nov. 23, 1772. married his first cousin Mary Gresley, and had issue
Anna Maria, who died unmarried on July 30, 1845, aged
N*s^"'v"v^'' ^'' Joanna, who married — Lyne, Thomas who died
324.
unmarried, and Sophia who died at St. Michael's Hi
666,
Ibid, xxxii. Bristol, on Oct. 28, 1849, aged 85 J, having been born deaf
and dumb and become ultimately blind), Jane (buried
Oct. 14, 1 715, aged two months), Ferris (buried on Aug. 16,
1717, aged two weeks), and John (baptized at Redcliffe
Church, Bristol, Oct. 30, 1723, who married Ann Lader,
and died in Sept. 1781): 2. Henry, buried Dec. 11, 1697:
3. Charles, born July 1695, died July 16, 1761, see below:
4. Robert, born Aug. 1696, died March 1760, see below: 5.
Margaret, baptized Nov. 4, 1698, buried March 18, 171 J :
6. John, born 1701, died 1780, see below: 7. Francis, baptized
Nov. 10, 1702, buried April 20, 1703 : 8. Mary, born 1703,
died 1787, see below: 9. Elizabeth, baptized May 18, 1705,
probably the Elizabeth who was buried on March 27, 1739:
10. Aiuic, born 1707, see below: 11. Francis, baptized June 9,
1708, buried May 10, 1791, having married Cecilia Leeson ;
but all his children (John, Cecilia, Anne, Fanny, Mary)
died young, except the youngest, who in 1774 married
the Rev. William Milton, and whose daughter Frances was
A. Worcestershire and Bristol Gresleys 139
the mother of Anthony Trollope the novehst : 12. Henry,
the date of whose birth is uncertain but who appears to have
been aHve in 1791, sec below.
Of this large family no less than six require separate
mention, Charles, Robert, John, Mary, Anne and Henry:
who will now be taken in order.
Charles Gresley, son of Charles, was baptized on July 23,
1695, and matriculated at Oxford from All Souls College
on June 27, 1711 (B.A. 1715, M.A. Trinity College 1718):
Rector of Blagdon in Somerset from 1720 till his death on
July 16, 1761. He married i. — Andrews, by whom he had
a daughter Anne who married Dennis Lemon of Worle : and
2. Joan widow of Beadon Devon, by whom he had a daughter
Elizabeth who married P. Tudball.
Robert Gresley, son of Charles, was baptized on Aug. 27,
1696, and matriculated at Oxford from Trinity College on
March 9, 1712 (B.A. 1717, M.A. 1720, M.B. 1723): he was
buried at St. Thomas's Church, Bristol, on March 7, 1760,
having married Elizabeth Crosse (died Dec. 1776?: daughter
of Richard Crosse of Broomlield in Somerset), by whom he
had five children: — i. Anne, who married the Rev. Samuel
Webb, rector of Winford in Somerset, and died without
issue in 1799: 2. Elizabeth, who died unmarried and was
buried on Aug. 22, 1800, aged 57 : 3. Mary, who also died
unmarried and was buried on April 4, 1804, aged 69 :
4. Robert, buried on Feb. 4, 173J, aged 2 : 5. Richard, who
died in infancy and was buried on April 10, 1739.
John Gresley, son of Charles, was baptized on May 23,
1 701, became a merchant at Bristol, where he died, and
was buried on April 4, 1780. He married Mary Marsh
of New Sarum, and by her had three children, of the
family of one of whom the fortunes have to be further
traced. The order of the three is uncertain : their names
were : — Catherine, who died j'oung and was buried on April
13, 1745 : Amelia, who married i. John Marsh, 2. . . . Hallett :
and John, see next below.
John Gresley, son of John, married Mary (daughter
140 The Cresleys of Drakelozue
of Joseph Jones, of Bristol), who was buried on Oct. 16,
1804, aged 66, and by her had six children :— i. Maria,
who married George Webb Hall (died 1822), and had
ten children, of whom seven were daughters : 2. Charlotte,
who died unmarried at Clifton (Bristol) on March 4, 1850,
aged 81 : 3. Catherine, who married as his second wife,
on Feb. g, 1804, Thomas Hellicar Esq., a Bristol
merchant, and had by him four children (Charlotte,
Valentine, John Hellicar and Amelia Gresley, which
last married Robert Ball Esq. and was the mother of
Sir Robert Stawell Ball, now Lowndean Professor
of Astronomy at Cambridge) : 4. Henrietta, who married
Joseph Hellicar a brother of Thomas and had six
children, one of whom (Marianne) married John Loudon
McAdam, fourth son of the great road-maker, and another
(Millicent) married the Rev. E. Caulfeild : 5. John, who
died at the age of seven : 6. Charles, see below :
7. Amelia who on Jan. 25, 1800, married as his first
wife Paul Tatlock of London and had one son,
Gresley. John died on June 4, 1796.
Charles, sixth child of John, was born in 1776, lived
all his life in Bristol or Clifton and died at the latter
place on May 18, 1862, aged 85. He married Jane
Whitchurch, his second cousin (who died in 1842) : and
by her had five children : — i. John, buried Sept. 30, 1818,
aged 13 : 2. Henry, buried May 26, 1810, aged 3 :
3. Charles, who died young : 4. Francis Reginald, who
was buried on April i, 1812 : 5. Nigel, born in 1813,
died at Halifax in Yorkshire, Sept. 14, 1884, who
married i. Anne daughter of Robert Pease of New-
castle, CO. Limerick (by whom he had a son Charles
born at Cork Feb. 1844, died March 23, 1864), and
2. on April i, 1865, Jane Frances, second daughter of
William Jesson of Beverley in Yorkshire (by whom
he had a daughter Amelia Mary Whitchurch who died
young) : 6. Amelia Charlotte, born in 1814, who now
resides, unmarried, at Pinehurst, Clevedon, Somerset,
A. Worcestershire and Bristol Gresleys 141
and is perhaps the sole representative of the Gresleys
of Bristol who still bears their name.
Mary, daughter of Charles (p. 138), was baptized on
Oct. 28, 1703, and buried on Dec. 29, 1787. She married,
on Feb. 12, 172?, Michael White of Bristol, and by him had
four daughters: — 1. Anne, see below: 2. Sara/i, who died
unmarried : 3. Mary, who died in 1810, having in 1761
married as his second wife Henry Hobhouse Esq. (born
1714, died 1773), whose grandson by his first wife was the
Rt. Hon. Henry Hobhouse, Home Secretary 1817-27, father
of Edmund Hobhouse, now retired Bishop of Nelson, and
of the present Lord Hobhouse : 4. Catlwrine, who died
unmarried.
Anne, eldest daughter of Mary, died on June 21,
1778, having married in 1756 Daniel Smith, a Bristol
merchant, by whom she had two daughters, the eldest
of whom, Sophia, was the grandmother of Miss Catherine
Frances Govett, now residing at Plymouth, who possesses
some Gresley relics.
Anne, daughter of Charles, was baptized on April 27,
1707, and married in 1746 James son of Joseph Whitchurch,
a Bristol merchant : by whom she had among other children
three sons, James, born 1746, who died unmarried, JosepJi
born 1747 who married and had issue, and Samuel (born
1748, died 1815) who married Mary Evans, and by her had,
among other children, two daughters, Jane who married
her second cousin Charles Gresley (see p. 140), and Sarah
born in 1785, who married John Elton and was the mother
of the Rev. Edward Elton, late Vicar of Sherrington, near
Newport Pagnell (died i8g8).
Henry, son of Charles, lived in Bristol, and married twice,
his second wife being his distant cousin Elizabeth Gresley
daughter of Thomas Gresley of Nether Seile by Elizabeth,
ne'e Lee, see p. 103. Henry seems to have had no children
by his second wife, but by his first wife, Sarah (daughter
of Alexander Oborne, of Bristol) who died in May 1746,
aged 43, he had a family of at least eleven children : —
142 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
vn. I. Mary, baptized Feb. 23, 172J, died 1753, having married
her first cousin, the Rev. Blinman Gresley, see p. 138:
2. Sarah, baptized Feb. 12, 172I, married the Rev. George
Attwood of Milverton, in Somerset: 3. Henry, baptized
April 10, 1726, died unmarried and was buried on Aug. 12,
1786 : 4. Charles, baptized Nov. 30, 1727, also died unmarried :
5. Anne, baptized Nov. 14, 1729, was buried on March 25,
1808: 6. Elizabeth, baptized Jan. 7, 173?, died on Nov. 26
(not 19), 1825, at her sister Martha's house at Banwell, see
below: 7. Walter, baptized Dec. 27, 1733, was buried on
Feb. 6, 173I : 8. Harriet, baptized June i, 1735, married
on April 7, 1768, at St. Mary RedcUffe Church, Bristol,
George Watson of that city : 9. Clementina, baptized Jan. 2,
173J, perhaps buried at St. Thomas's, Bristol, on Jan. 16,
173J : 10. Martha, born between May 18, 1744, and May 17,
1745, married in 1772 John Emery of Banwell in Somerset,
and by him had three sons, Henry Gresley (M.D., M.R.C.S.,
died 1826), Thomas (a captain in the army), and George :
II. Charlotte: 12. A Clementina (^.), who perhaps married
William Vincent, see no. 9 above.
We have now followed this large Gresley branch so far
as the family name survived through the male line, and it
appears that the only known representative of it who still
bears the name is the lady mentioned on p. 140.
B. The Australian Gresleys.
We have seen (p. 104) that Thomas Gresley of Nether
Seile, the eleventh child of Sir Thomas Gresley, second Bart.,
by Frances his wife, Jiee Morewood, had an eighth child
Robert, a Captain in the 86th Regiment, born in 1717.
Several pedigrees, but no conclusive evidence, assert that
he married Jane Hurt of Cork, and this agrees with
information received in 1896 from M. G. Lavers Esq. of
6 Stanley Gardens, Kensington Park, London, and may be
regarded as very probable.
B. Tlie Australian Gresleys 143
The Australian branch, on its side, mounts up to one Chap. vii.
William Gresley, a successful schoolmaster at Marlborough
in Wiltshire : and one pedigree of some weight in the
Salt Library at Stafford states as a fact— what is otherwise
difficult to establish— that William was the son of the
Robert Gresley who married Jane Hurt. There is certainly
a firm behef among William's descendants that they are
a branch of the Gresleys of Drakelowe through the Thomas
Gresley who married a Morewood.
The family of Robert is fairly well established by informa- xxii
tion afforded me by M. G. Lavers Esq., of 6 Stanley Gardens,
Kensington Park, London, whose papers are corroborated
by the undoubted fact "^ that one of Robert's daughters ^ Known
married a Lavers. His family then was: — i. James, who G°^iey°
"igrees,
d in fori
died young: 2. Thomas, who died young: 3. Elinor, who p*
married William Bunbury, but died without issue : 4. M^illiam, 'ion from
see below : 5. Elizabeth, who on June 28, 1780, at St. Martin's Gresrey, Esq.
in the Fields, London, married James Lavers, stationer and
bookseller, of 10 the Strand, London, and also of Stokenham
in South Devon : their family was i. Robert Garrett,
2. Eliza Cheney, 3. James Gresley (these three died young) :
4. William Bunbury Gresley, who was present as a midship-
man at the battle of Copenhagen, and died in Canada in
about 1855: he married Emily, nee Kuhne, and had ten
children of whom my correspondent, see above, is one :
5. Henry James, 6. Robert Gresley, who was in the 91st
Regiment, 7. Ann Coulton, 8. Jane Elinor Gresley, who
married John Eales and whose children live in New South
Wales, 9, Eliza Cheney, who died young, 10. Orlando
Nigel) : 6. Robert, who died young : 7. Jane.
William. From this William downwards we are on xxiii
secure ground, but the tradition among his descendants is
that William's father was either Robert or Peter who
lived at Melton Mowbray, where it is believed that he
died in about 1780. Extended research has hitherto failed
to make William's parentage clear and indubitable. He was
probably born in about 1760 at or near Melton Mowbra}',
144
Tlie Grcsleys of Drakelozve
' Wilts
Archeeol.
Mag. xiv.
27.
™ These dates
of birth are
from Dr.
Williams's
Registers at
Somerset
House,
London.
m DL-rb.
Soc. iii. I
but he first became prominent as the master of a large and
flourishing school at Marlborough in Wiltshire, in a house
on the south side of the High Street. The White Horse on
the side of Granham Hill overlooking Marlborough was
the work of his boys^ In about 1816 he moved to Datchet
where he again opened a school ; and died at New Shoreham
in Sussex on Sept. 23, 1843. He married twice, i. on April
18, 1786, at St. Peter's Church, Marlborough, Mary daughter
of the Rev. John Davis, a Nonconformist minister, who was
associated with him in the management of the school : she
died on Dec. 23, 1818, at Datchet : 2. on Jan. 4, 1823, Elizabeth
nee Black, of Islington, who died at Hurstpierpoint in 1849.
By his second wife he had no children, but by his first
wife he had no less than twenty-eight, of whom the names
of nineteen are preserved as follows ; but the majority of
them died young: —
\. John, see below: 2. Catherine, born Jan. 2, 1790", who
married J. L. Penn Esq., an official at Somerset House, and
died at Brighton in 1844: 3. Mary, born Nov. 9, 1791, who
married a Mons. Alberet of Geneva and died at Peckham :
4. Charles Francis, born March 3, 1798, who married
a Miss Phillips of Greenwich, but had no issue, and was
buried at Lambeth in 1834 : 5. William, born June 7, 1799,
who died unmarried : 6. Edward, born July 26, 1800, who
married a Miss Penn, but had no children : 7. James Thorley,
born July 23, 1802, who died unmarried (his second name
was derived from his mother whose mother was Esther ne'e
Thorle}') : 8. Esther, born Aug. 20, 1803, who died in Dublin
in 1871 : 9. Sarah Ann Lowe, the twenty-eighth child, born
Feb. 23, 1808, who married Thomas Sinclair McDougal Esq.,
and died May 24, 1884, leaving issue (it may be noted that
the Lowes of Alderwasley intermarried with the Hurts'",
see p. 142). Besides these there were a Clara, who died
unmarried, a IValsingham, eight Nigels, and nine more
whose names are not recorded.
John, the eldest son of William Gresley, born according
to Dr. Williams's Registers on June 4, 1788, was something
B. The Ausiniliaii Greslcys 145
of an astronomer in his early da3's, and became thereby
acquainted with the Herschells. Dr. Ross, the proprietor
of a newspaper in Tasmania, who had married a half-sister
of John's wife, persuaded John to emigrate with his family
to that island in 1833. A farm was bought on Bruni Island
near Hobart, and John settled there and at Datchet Lodge,
Sandy Bay, Hobart, until his death at the latter place on
Aug. 22, 1868, being then, according to his monument in
St. George's Church, aged 81, but really in his eighty-first
year. On July 9, 1812, at Odiham, he married Mary daughter
of Captain Eccles Smith, of the 77th Regiment: she died
at Hobart on April 13, 1861, aged 70, having had eight
children : — i. William, born at Marlborough in 1815, married
a Miss Hill, but there was no issue of the marriage, and he
was murdered by natives in Victoria in 1852 : 2. Susan, born
at Marlborough April 4, 1816, married at Hobart Capt.
George Jackson, R.N., and died at Valparaiso on April 28,
1844, leaving issue : 3. Nigel John Davis, see below : 4.
Edward, born in Nov. 1818, was in the Armj^, and died
without issue in 1855: 5. Charles Adolphus, born in April
1822, married Jane daughter of Col. Sharpe, and had four
sons and four daughters, all now dead : 6. Mary Anne Penn,
born in April 1829, married H. Denne Esq., and is living
in Tasmania, having issue : 7. Sarah, born at Uxbridge on
Feb. 8, 1830, married R. Pybus Esq. of Manila, and has issue :
8. Henry Lee, born at Datchet in 1832, died at sea in the
following year.
Nigel John Davis, second son of John Gresley, was born
at Datchet on Sept. 2, 1817, and emigrated with his father
to Hobart. There on April 25, 1850, he married Marianne
Harriet, elder daughter of Charles Abbott Esq., Sheriff of
Hobart. Nigel was at first in the Treasury Department
of the Tasmanian Government, and eventually Manager of
the Union Bank of Australia, until his death on Aug. 19,
1879, at Auckland, New Zealand, whither he had gone for
his health. His widow is at present living in London.
Their family was:— i. Henrietta Setina, born Jan. 19, 1851,
146 The Gresleys of Drakeloivc
married on July 14, 1875, at Hobart, Anthony Harley, son
of Gen. and Lady Charlotte Bacon, and has issue : 2. Louisa
Florence, born June 24, 1852, was at one time engaged to her
distant relation Francis Edward Gresley (see p. 153), but he
died in 1878 and she, on Aug. 4, 1881, married (at Bombay)
Arthur WiUiam Forde Esq., M.I.C.E. who died on Oct. 25,
1886 : on July 4, 1892, she married Capt. Ion Turner, late i6th
Queen's Lancers, and now lives in England : 3. Nigel, born
Sept. 24, 1854, was educated at the High School at Hobart,
and at the time of his father's death had charge of the
Oatlands branch of the Union Bank of Australia, but soon
after came to the London office of the same Bank, from
which he has recently retired: on July 5, 1894, he married
Isabel Herbert, only daughter of William Henry Mabb
of Patrington in Yorkshire : 4. Laura, born Nov. 3, 1855,
married on Aug. 29, 1875, David Lewis Esq. of Cilwen,
Tasmania (who died in 1890), and has issue: 5. Herbert,
born Oct. 8, 1857, died on Dec. 18 of the same year:
6. Madeline, born Jan. 4, 1859, married on Nov. 6, 1878, at
St. George's, Hanover Square, London, Major Charles
H. Strutt, and has issue: 7. Augusta Blanche, born Nov. 9,
1861, married on Feb. 16, 1881, at Broach near Bombay,
Henry James Benett Hargrave Esq., B.A., and died at
Dublin on Dec. 18, 1888, leaving issue : 8. Josephine Lem-
priere, born Dec. 17, 1864, died on June 4 in the following
year: 9. Alicia Frcderica, born Feb. 15, 1866, married on
Nov. 4, 1893, Col. George Flemyng Gyll, R.A., and has
issue: 10. Ethel Beatrice Lcmpriere, born Oct. 19, 187 1,
married on Sept. 3, 1894, the Rev. Thomas H. Watson,
D.D., of Norwood Lodge, South Norwood : 11. Jsobcl Clare
Milliccnt, born Nov. 2, 1872, died on June 23, 1878.
C. The North Wales and Liverpool Gresleys.
This branch of the Gresley family is descended from
Robert (xxiii) eighth son of John Gresley, which John was
first cousin of Sir Thomas Gresley the fourth Baronet. He
C. North Wales and Liverpool Grcsleys 147
has been briefly noticed on p. 108, where his marriage
with Mary Deane in 1777 is mentioned. Their children
were:— I. John Walsey, who was buried on Oct. 28, 1779:
2. Charles Lee, see below : 3. Mary Ann, born on Sept. 16,
1780, resided with her uncle Dr. William Gresley in Liver-
pool, and there married, on April 10, i8og, Robert Jones,
who had been a pupil under William Gresley at the
Liverpool Old Infirmary: Mr. Jones resided for the latter
part of his life at Holywell in Flintshire, and had an only
son William Gresley, born on May 16, 1810, who had a family
of at least eight children.
Charles Lee, second son of Robert, lived at Nottingham
and Leicester, and married in 1803 Cassandra Pearson of
Basford, Nottingham (born 1787, died 1817). Charles died
in 1847, having had four children :— i. Mary Ann, born
Oct. 2, 1804, lived for some time at Barton under Needwood,
and died of consumption at Matlock on March 16, 1827 :
2. Ann, baptized Aug. 16, 1806, buried on Nov. 19 of the
same year: 3. William Toplis, born Dec. 6, 1807, was
educated at Christ's Hospital, and died on Sept. 30, 1836,
at Nantwich, having married i. on Aug. 3, 1830, Eliza Ellen
Smith of Belper, who died soon after her marriage at
Duffield, without issue ; and 2. Anne Hardley, by whom he
had two children, Mary Anne, born in about 1832 at Burslem,
who died at the age of eighteen months, and William
Nigel, born probably in 1834, who died on Oct. 26, 1837 :
4. Charles Lee Andrew Robert, born May 6, 1813, lived in
Liverpool and in about 1832 married Ann Macnamara of
Burriscucane, county Clare, Ireland, who died Nov. 26, 1857.
Charles died on June 26, 1848, leaving five children : —
I. Ellen, born June 12, 1833: 2. Catherine, born June 7, 1834:
3. Mary Ann, born March 24, 1839, married W. Simpson,
and died in Feb. 1878 : 4. Ann, born Feb. 26, 1842 : 5. Charles
William, born May 24, 1844: possibly there was another
daughter Cassandra.
[48 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
D. The family of Richard Greslcy.
XXiv Richard Gresley (born 1766, died 1850) was the fourth son
of the Rev. Thomas Gresley, D.D., second cousin of the
fifth Baronet of the same names, and his hfe and two marriages
have been given on pp. 113-17. By his second wife Mary
Drummond, nee PhiUimore, he had no children, but by his
first wife, Caroline Grote, he had six sons and two daughters,
of whom two require an extended notice : —
1. The eldest son was the well-known writer William
Gresley (born March 16, 1801), prebendary of Lichfield and
incumbent of Boyne Hill, for whom see next page.
2. Richard Newcombe, born June 30, 1804, was educated at
Westminster ™ (admitted May 26, 1815, King's Scholar 1818)
and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated May 18, 1822, Student
of the House 1822-35, 2nd class in Liters Humaniores, B.A.
1826, M.A. 1828), and studied at the Middle Temple, being
called to the Bar on July 23, 1829. He practised as an
Equity Draftsman, and published in 1836 a Treatise on the
Laio of Evidence (which reached a second edition in 1847),
but signs of consumption showed themselves, under which
disease he gradually sank, until the end came on June 10,
1837, at Meriden Hall, his father's place in Warwickshire.
3. Thomas Morgan, born Oct. 31, 1805, died at Kenilworth
on Nov. 4, 1807.
4. Francis, born May 5, 1807 : see p. 152.
5. Caroline Mary, born at midnight between Dec. 12 and
13, 1809, married on Nov. 17, 1840, at St. James's, Piccadilly,
and at the Chapel of the Sardinian Ambassador, London, the
Count Riccardo Felice Langosco di Langosco, a Lieut.-Col.
in the Itahan army, who died on April 11, 1886, at Genoa,
aged 71. The Langoscos of Langosco are the elder branch
of an old family, whose pedigree goes back to Tadeo
Langosco in the thirteenth century. The Countess lives
at Via Cernaja 11, Milan, and has had three children:—
,by
printed at
P- 157-
D. The Family of Richard Gresley 149
I. Count Luigi Riccardo Felice, born Oct. 7, 1841, died Oct. Chap. vii.
19, 1875, unmarried : 2. Count Giiglielmo Giacinto Giuseppe, of
Casale, Monferrato, Piedmont, born Oct. 5, 1843, married on
April 24, 1873, Signora Giuditta, daughter of Antonio Mascaz-
zini, and has three sons and a daughter : 3. Count Federico
Francesco Teofdo, born on May 2, 1847, married on Oct.
17, 1885, the Baroness Esilda daughter of Admiral Baron
Tholosano, but she died on June 10, 1886: 4. Count Lucca
Francesco, born Oct. 3, 1849, married on Nov. 30, 1882, the
Countess Cesarina Delia Croce, of Vigevano in Piedmont,
and has had four sons.
6. George, born Jan. 26, 1812 (one of twin sons, of whom
the other never lived), died on May 18 in the same year.
7. Andreiv Robert, born Jan. 22, 1814, was educated at
Westminster (admitted Sept. 18, 1826, King's Scholar 1828)
and at Trinity College, Cambridge (elected from Westminster
on May 30, 1832). But when at school he overstrained
himself with boating and g3annastic exercises, and after
being an invalid at home during almost all 1832 he died at
Meriden of consumption on March 10, 1833.
8. Elizabeth, born July 9, 1815, married on Oct. 7, 1839, at
the British Embassy at Paris, Lieutenant Alexander Clot-
worthy Dawson, R.N., who died on Aug. 16, 1841, on board
H.M.S. Alert, near Havana, where he was buried. The
issue of the marriage was one child who died in infancy.
Elizabeth married secondly on May 15, 1856, Captain (after-
wards Admiral) Thomas George Forbes.
9. A daughter who died in infancy on Oct. i, 1817.
The Rev. William Gresley, of Boyne Hill, eldest
son of Richard Gresley.
William was born at Kenilworth on March 16, 1801, and XXV
educated at Mr. Waters's, Edial Hall near Lichfield (entered
Aug. 1807), Westminster School (admitted Jan. 14, 181 1,
King's Scholar 1815) and at Christ Church, Oxford (matr.
May 21, 1819, Student 1819-28, 2nd class in Literse
Humaniores, B.A. 1823, M.A. 1825). Like many of his
150 The Gresleys of Drakdoive
Chap. VII. family he was fond of archery, and was in 1820 one of the
original Bowmen of the Isis, an Oxford Club. An injury to
his eye prevented his studying for the Bar, and he took Holy
Orders in 1825 (priest 1826). He was successively curate
of Drayton Bassett near Tamworth (till 1829), curate of
St. Chad's at Stowe and Lecturer of St. Mary's, Lichfield
(1830-37), Prebendary of Lichfield (1840-76), curate of
St. Paul's, Brighton, and lastly from 1857 till his death
Vicar of All Saints, Boyne Hill, near Maidenhead, a newly
formed parish. On Nov. 20, 1876, he died at Boyne Hill,
having survived all his nine children.
He was by far the most prolific writer who has borne the
name of Gresley, and exercised a very considerable influence
in maintaining sound and moderate Church principles at
times when many minds were unsettled by ultra-Tractarianism
and (later) by Rationalism. His works were : —
Ecchsiastes AngUcantis, 1835.
Sermons oil the Duties of a Christian, 1836.
Tlie Poilrait of an English Churchman, 1838 and often afterwards.
The Necessity of Zeal, Oxford University Sermons, 1839.
Some Thoughts on Diocesan Education, 1859.
In 1839 he in conjunction with Edward Churton started the Englishman's Library,
which eventually consisted of thirty-one volumes, issued between 1839 ^"d
1846. William Gresley contributed The Siege of Lichfield (1840'), Charles
Lever, The Forest of Arden, Clement Walton ^all 1841), Bernard Leslie 1,1842),
Church Clavering (1843), Collision Hall (1846).
Remarks on a Restoration of the National Church, 1841.
Holyday Tales, 1842.
Parochial Sermons, 1842.
The Offciiory, a sermon, 1843.
The Spiiitiial Condition of the Young, 1843.
The Church the HenUr of the Nation's IVounds, a sermon, 1843.
A Sermon, in aid of the Add. Curates' Society, 1844.
Anglo-Catholicism, 1844.
In 1844 the Juvenile Englishman's Library was started by F. E. Paget and
J. E. Russell ^twenty-one vols., 1844-49), ^"'^ William Grciley contributed
Henri dc Clermont (^1844) and Cotton Green (1846).
St. Stephen; Death for Truth, 1845.
Frank's First Trip to the Continent, 18^5.
Suggestions on the New Statute at O.xfoid, about the proposed degradation of
Mr. Ward, 1845.
A Short Treatise OH the English Church, 1845.
God's House a House of Prayer, a sermon, 1845.
Self- Examination, a sermon, 1845.
Evangilual Irnlh and Aposiohcal Order, a dialogue, 1846.
D. The Family of Richard Gresley 151
The Real Danger of the Church of England, 1846, which reached a sixth edition Chap VII.
in the following year.
A Second Statement of the Real Danger (as above), 1846.
A Third Statement {a.s above), 1847.
Pi actual Sermons, 1848.
The Use of Confirmation, 1848.
A Help to Prayer, 1849.
A IVord of Remonstrance with the Evangelicals, 1850, which reached a third
edition in 1851.
Standfast and hope, a pamphlet on the Gorham Case, 1850.
Distinctive Tenets of the Church of England, 1851.
A Second IVord of Remonstrance {see above), 1851.
A Letter on Tractarianism, 1851.
The Ordinance of Confession. 1851.
A Letter on Confession, in reply to the Rev. R.J. M'Ghee, 185a.
A Seimon on Church Music, 1852.
Some Account of the Church, a sermon, 1854.
The Unity of the Church, a sermon, 1854.
The Piesent State of the Controveisy with Rome, 1855.
An Answer to the Rev. E. B. Elliott, about Tractarianism, 1856.
In 1856 he edited Brevint's Christinn Sacrament.
The Position of the Church, on the Denison Case (1856).
Sermons preached at Brighton, 1858.
Boyne Hill Tracts, by W. G., 1858.
The Church the Pillar of the Truth, 1859.
Conversion, 1859.
Bernard Leslie, part 2, 1859.
Idealism considered, on Essays and Reviavs, i86o.
Sophron and Neologus ; or, Common Sense and Philosophy, 1861.
The Prayer-book as it is, 1865.
Thoughts on the Bible, 1871.
Priests and Philosopheis, 1873.
Thoughts on Religion and Philosophy, 1875.
The Scepticism of the Nineteenth Century, selections, edited with a Memoir of the
Author by S. C. Austen, 1879.
On Oct. 28, 1828, he married Anne Wright, daughter and
heiress of John Barker Scott Esq., of Lichfield, banker,
and had nine children, as follows (his wife died on May 28,
1864, aged 59) : — i. Caroline Anne, born Feb. 7, 1830, died
Aug. 21, 1844: 2. IVilliain, born June 13, 1831, died July 13,
1844: 3. John Scott, born Sept. i, 1832, died Dec. 17, 1844
4. Mary Elizabeth, born Aug. 2, 1834, died Oct. 27, 1868
5. Adelaide Frances, born in 1836, died May 19, 1844
6. Richard Scott, born Sept. 13, 1837, died Jan. 30, 1853
7. Louisa, died on March 8, 1840, aged one year: 8. Henry
Scott, born Nov. 20, 1840, matriculated at Oxford from Christ
Church on Oct. 21, 1858 (B.A. 1861), became a Barrister-at-
Tlie Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. VII. Jaw of the Inner Temple, London, in 1866: on Nov. 26,
1867, he married Jane Charlotte Drummond (see p. 123), but
died on Jan. 28 of the following year : 9. Nigel Scott, born
Nov. 9, 1842, matriculated like his brother from Christ
Church on Oct. 16, 1861, but died on Dec. 6, 1863.
A memorial window, erected in Lichfield Cathedral in
memory of the Rev. William Gresley, and called the Gresley
Memorial Window, was dedicated on July 31, 1895, and
the list of subscribers includes twenty who bear the name
of Gresley.
XXV Major Francis Gresley, fourth son of Richard Gresley.
Francis Gresley was born on May 5, 1807, at Kenihvorth,
and educated at Westminster (Jan. 14, 1818 — Whitsuntide
1822). In 1823 he entered the East India Company's
service, and sailed for India on June 16 on board the
Thomas Grcnville. In 1844 he returned to England, and
lived successively at Gifford's Hall in Suffolk, where his
wife's father-in-law had lived and most of his children were
born, at Winterdyne in Worcestershire, and at Meriden
Hall near Leamington, once his father's place, where he
died on Dec. 10, 1880. On Sept. 19, 1848, at Ilfracombe,
he married Mary, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Thorp,
of Burton Over}', and niece of the lady of the same names
who in i8ii married Francis's uncle the Rev. William
Gresley, see p. 122. Miss Thorp had previously on Aug. 31,
1840, married Francis Russell Kendal Esq. of Walthamstow
(who died at Venice in 1847) and had had three children
b}- him :— I. Clarence Peter Trevel3'an, an officer in the Life
Guards, who married Catherine daughter of Lord Brabazon,
2. Gwenllian Elizabeth Fanny Isabel, who married, in West-
minster Abbey, Arthur son of the Rev. Lord John Thj'nne,
3. Ethel Mary Jemima, who married Col. Villiers Forbes,
R.A. Mary was only twenty-nine at the time of her second
marriage, and died on Aug. 10, 1894, at Flax Bourton, leaving
eight children of her second family: — i. Richard Nigel, born
March 15, 1850, a Captain in the Royal Navy, and latterly
E. Unidentified Gresleys 153
Commander of the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert, who Chap. vii.
on May 5, 1892, married Ruth SHngsby daughter of
G. P. T. Duncombe Esq., and has issue Dorothy born 1893
and Roger born 1895: 2. Francis Edivard, born July 31,
1851, who was at one time engaged to a distant relation also
bearing the name of Gresley, see p. 146, but died of typhoid
fever, unmarried, at Urana, New South Wales, on May 22,
1878 : 3. Caroline Frances (' Queenie '), born Nov. 26, 1852,
married on March 27, 1875, James Edwards"* Esq., of Wood- "■* See p. 263.
horn Grange near Morpeth, now of Flax Bourton : 4, 5.
Rose Elizabeth and Mary Lilian, twins, born May 12, 1854 :
Rose married on April 11, 1885, George McGowan Esq.,
of Preston, and has issue : the latter died unmarried at
Weymouth on Sept. 6, 1885: 6. Mary Louisa, born Dec. 17,
1855, married on Oct. 17, 1882, Capt. Edward Ambrose
Holbech, a retired officer of the Royal Navy: 7. Susan
Isabel Garstin ('Daisy'), born July 29, 1859, married on
Jan. 3, 1889, Capt. Edwin John Payne Gallwey, late of the
Royal Navy: 8. William Nigel, born March 3, 1861.
E. Unidentified Gresleys,
who cannot at present be connected with the pedigree of
the Gresle^'S of Drakelowe, in rough chronological order.
Many of the following were no doubt simply persons who,
having lived at one time at Church or Castle Gresley,
acquired when they left their native place the local surname
of Gresley, before surnames had become fixed family
names.
Salt Soc.
Salt Soc. i
1 199. Stephen de Gresley. Stephanus de Gresley in Sept. 1199 killed"
Osbert de Hegwin and fled from justice.
1201. Ingerannus de Gresley occurs" as a 'sponsalis' of Eustachia de
Camvile. who was engaged in a lawsuit with Nicholas de Verdun Dugdale's
about land. ^'rr™i''''--1
1203. Hervey (' Herveus ') de Gresley occurs in a Staffordshire Assize „_ j^^. ^^
Roll I' of Sept. 1203. Hervey was a Stafford family name. p ^^^^ q^^^_
1210. Roger de Gresley. According to the Red Book of the Ex- iii. i. 86.
chequeri a ' Rogerus Gresle' in 1210-12 held twelve knights' fees in a Rolls Slt.
Lancashire. <^J- "• 3&8.
154 TJie Greslcys of Drakelozve
Chap. VII. 1215. Robert de Greslej'. On Dec. 11, 1215, the King gave' to Ralph
, ,, ~j7^]o ^^ Gernon land in Pirinton co. Oxon. 'que fuit Roberti de Gresley.'
Dodsw. ' Tliis may be the Robertus de Greslei ' who was among the barons
'03. P- 39- who assembled at Stamford at Easter 1215 and eventually obtained
°RoMs SerT Magna Charta from King John. If so, the name should rather
Chron. Maj. be Grelly, see App. D.
11. 585 : name 1240. William de Gresley (' Gresleghe ') occurs in a deed of Dec. 25,
gk'-en'as'^^ 1240', about Whitchurch in Dorset.
Rngerin 13th cent. Walter de Greslej', and John his son. Walter de Gresele
s['ff^h^"^ of Dorandesthorp (Donisthorpe) was witness to a deed" of Ralph
2,3. ' ' Wychard : and his son John ' filius Walteri de Gresley de Durandes-
' Salisb. thorp ' held land ^ in Donisthorpe.
iKolls^Scr 1271-2. Elias de Gresley (perhaps only = 'from Greslej''). He killed"
97 p. 264. one Roger at the bridge outside the vill of Roucester with a stone,
" Gresl. in 56 Hen. 3 : he fled from justice and was outlawed. One of the
, slu^Soc^' same names granted land » in Osgathorpe to Sir William de Waste-
xvi. 302 " neys, in 4 Edw. 2 (1310-1).
f*^"^."?"^*^ 1279. Simon de Gresley was on Sept. 23, 1279 y, appointed Vicar of God-
« Salt Soc. mersham by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
iv. I. 210. late 13th cent. Enge de Gresley was a witness to a deed ' of John Oky
;,,^7!"--y of Linton.
Chartiil. p.
38 = Parker's 1300. Robert de Gresley was ordained acolyte* at Burton on Trent on
Colton 2nd Dec. 17, 1300.
> Reg. Epistt. 1302. William de Greslej'. There must have been at least two William
.Toh. Peckham de Greslevs to whom the following notices refer: — ordained sub-
y oils ber.^ deacon at Derby, presented by the Prior of Gresley on Sept. 22,
^ Gresley " 1302'': ordained sub-deacon at Colwich upon his patrimonial title
Charter 158. on Dec. 18, 1305 ; ordained deacon at Lichfield, presented by the
M^.ichf. Episc. same Prior, Sept. 21, 1303 '', and priest at Lilleshull. March 28, 1304 >> :
1' Ibid. a monk of Roucester, ordained priest at Gnosall Dec. 20, 1320'':
BodI MS. instituted to the chapel of Hordley on Nov. 7, 1322'', and to the
Rectory of Mongewell in June 1336'^ : rector of Hildresham at least
•''Ely Episc. 1338-43'!.
M^^' iv" ^"'' '3°3- R^lph de Gresley was ordained sub-deacon ^ at Lichfield upon his
Add] 5824, patrimonial title, on Sept. 21, 1303.
foil. 5, 23. 1305. John de Gresley was on Dec. 18, 1305, ordained sub-deacon at
^^Liclii. Episc. Colwich f, on the presentation of the Prior of Gresley. Another of
f Ibid. the same names was ordained deacon s at Derby on April 3, 1305,
t Ibid. and priest •> at the same place on the following Dec. 23, on both
*" Ibid. occasions presented by the Prior and Convent of Gresley.
' Gresl. 1307-8. William de Aula de Gresley was a witness' in 1307-8, but
lar u . p. ^.gg probably William de Awl or Aula, living at Gresley : see
Jeayes's index to his Descriptive Catalogue of Gresley Charters,
s. V. Aula.
I pise RcE i ^3^7- Thomas de Gresley, a monk of Merevale Abbey, was on April 2,
i_'9'. 1317, ordained priest at Lichfield ''.
Blake
E. Unidentified Gresleys 155
1318. Richard de Gresley. Occurs in a Leicestershire taxation of a Chap. VII.
twentieth 1327-8, as holding land in Normanton super !e Hethe : and,
as ' Graselej-e,' in a Staflbrdshire subsidy roll of the same date as l,^?'^'" ^^"
holding land in ' Schareschulfe.' He may be the ' Richardus del p_ ,30.'^ '
Greisley' who was witness' to a deed of Richard de la Lee in „ Liclif.
1318-g. Of this latter a brother William also occurs in the deed, Episc. Reg. i.
who may be the William de Gresley who held land in Herdeby ^iV-
in 1323-4, according to a Leicestershire taxation of a fifteenth. ° ""'^- Mo.
1320. Hugh de Gresley was in 1320 ordained sub-deacon™ at Lichfield ° "'"'• '-f'-
on March 29, deacon" at Darley on Sept. 20 and priest" at Gnosall "" Salt Soc.
on Dec. 20, being in each case presented by the Prior and Canons
c r- 1 ■■ Salt Soc.
of Gresley. j,. , gj
1321. Vincent de Gresley and Geoffrey his brother were accused of ^ q^csI
trespass? in 1321, and Vincent also of damage at Alrewas in 1323 'i. Chartul. p.
The latter was also a witness ■■ to a deed of John Brom in 23 Edw. 3 4i-
(1349-50). Perhaps he was a son of Sir Peter : see p. 46. * N. and Q.
1339-40. Robert de Gresley and Katrine his wife were witnesses to ^'^|^ Soc' -xi^ '
a deed' about land in Clifton Camvilc, dated 13 Edw. 3. 185.
1354. Henry de Gresley, merchant, was in this year sued' by Henry t sait Soc.
Puys of Rugeley for a debt. -"'i'- 129.
1374. William de Gresley. In 1374" he succeeds Robert Crull as Dean ■> Dugd. Mon.
or Master in the College of secular Canons in Hastings Castle; Angl. vi.
and one of the same names on July 13, 1375 ", exchanged the Rectory ^ '
of Bishop's Hampton in Worcestershire for that of St. Bennet, Repert.i.302:
Paul's Wharf London, but was no longer there in 1379. Dugd. Warw.
1379 80. Thomas Gresley and Katrina his wife occur in a poll-tax" 2nd ed u.
record of this date in Offlow Hundred, Staffordshire. nessy's
early 15th cent. John Gresley ('Gresele'), rector of Grindon or Grinton Repert.
in Yorkshire, was sued" at about this time for a rent charge due ' ^ \.. .
pp. cxlii, ^40.
to the Abbot of St. Alban's. The Abbot of Ramsey had pre- J ^^^^ g^^
sented him to the living. xvii. 170.
1429. Thomas de Gresley 'clericus in minoribus ordinibus constitutus' i Walsing-
in this year resigned y the church of Rolleston in Staffordshire, to liam. Gesta
which he had been presented by Prince John. Alb!',,?' Rolls
15th cent. ? Oliver Gresley. In a Rutland 'Visitation, 1618-9, an Oliver Ser. 28; iii.
Gresley marries Jane daughter of Thomas Busby and his wife 518-22.
daughter of Sir Richard Egerton. " Lichf.
1466. William Gresley, B.C.L., was in 1466 made Rector^ of Colton in Ep.sc. Reg.
Staffordshire. criton""^^
1481. William and Richard Gresley. The former was 'rector ecclesie igg.
de Stoke ' when on June 5, 1481, he and Richard leased ^ the manor » Gresl.
of Colton in Staffordshire to Sir John Gresley and Anne his wife. Charter 449.
from whom they had received the manor by feoffment. This must b jbid. 455.
refer to some technical transfer and re-transfer. Richard also c a. P.
occurs as a witness on Feb. 15. 149^, to a deed ^ of Lewis Bagot.
1500. Christian daughter of John Gresley is stated to have married '
FHmil
George son of Mark Robinson (occurs 1464) and his wife Anne nife p. ^q^_
War
if. 1619 :
156 The Gresleys of Drakclozve
Pembridge. Thomas Robinson a son of this Gresley marriage
married an AIsop, and occurs in 1514.
early i6th cent. A Gresley is stated to have married Alice '^* daughter of
S.ilt Soc. vli. John Beaufo of Edmondscote (who died in 1516) and of Elizabeth
2. 106: see his wife (nee Toke or Take).
P" ^''" 1532. Ellen Gresley. Her Will was proved <' at Lichfield in this year,
in^li'd'ex Libr^ 1536. A Mr. Gresley's Will was proved at Lichfield = in this year,
vii. 35. 1538. Agnes Gresley seems to have been a nun, for in 1538-40 she was
"» ibid. vii. 43. in receipt of a pension (?}, according to the Augmentation Office
' App. to the Records <.
49th Kept, of 1548. Edward Gresley in 1548-9 received a pension (?), according to the
tlie Dep Augmentation Office Records f, and so was presumably a monk.
Records, p. ^551- Thomas Gresley ('Gresseley') of Stapleford in Nottinghamshire.
269. His Will ^ made on Oct. 25, 1551, and proved on Oct. 12, 1558, is in
e Ibid. p. 266. the York Registry (vol. xv, pt. 3, fol. 228).
>> Yorksh. 1567-89. St. Mary's Registers at Lichfield mention several Gresleys.
Archaeol.Soc , Edward G. (d. 1589) married Joanne (d. 1587J, and their children
xiv'Tsgar' ^'^^^ Frances (d. 1574), Margaret (bapt. 1567), John (d. 1570),
p. 67. ' William (bapt. 1572, d. 15817), and Joan (bapt. and d. 1576). Also
' App. to the a Thomas G. had a son Robert who died in 1585 : and a Margaret
49th Kept, of Greslej' married the Rev. George Bromley on May 27, 1574.
K-e eTof the ■"■59+' Rof^firt and John Gresley seem to have received pensions (?) in
Records, pp. 1594-6. according to the Augmentation Office Records'.
268-9. 1600. John Gresley married Frances Wakefield on May 27, 1600 J, and
i Gresl. Reg. on Nov. 18, 1623 J, was buried at Gresley.
^ Signet 1623. A Mr. Gresley received a pension ^ in July of this year.
Libr 'iv '"3 "^^ 16^6. A Mr. Gresley was in this year deputed by the Royalist Com-
' ' position Commissioners' to receive £^ a week from Sir Lewis
Papers, ist ' Dj've's Bedfordshire Estate in trust to hand it over to Sir Lewis,
ber. X. 596. 1655. John Gresley of the parish of St. Dionis Backchurch, London,
made a will on Nov. 2, 1655 (proved on Nov. 13, 1656), which appoints
his mother ' mistris Sarah Gresley' as sole executrix. John's
desire was to be buried in St. Mary Magdalen Church, Bermondsey.
1667. Mary Gresley on June 27, 1667, married"" Hugh Sharrat at St.
Michael's Church, Lichfield.
1673 The Will of Mary Gresley of St. Paul's, Shadwell, dated Nov. 21,
1673, and proved on Jan. 5, 167* and Sept. 23, 1679, mentions a
daugliter Sarah, widow of Roger Appsand perhaps wife of Joseph
Hammond.
= Walton 1704. William son of Robert Gresley, of Watton on the Wolds, was
Cliurch Reg. baptized " Dec. 3, 1704.
» Somersetsh. 1716. Christopher Gresley occurs as the son-in-law of Margaret Leigh
sf^r'^n^'^ ^'"''' ''°"''""'^) of Barton in St. Decuraan's, m her Will" dated Oct. 24,
1716, proved April 2, 1718.
716. Thomas Gresley. 'My cousin Thomas Gresley' occurs in the
Will I' of Gustavus Venner of Fitzhead in Somerset, dated Dec. 24,
1716, proved April 2, 1718.
■" St. Mich
Reg.
iier., p. 53.
The Coronation of George IV 157
1726-40. The Registers of Abbot's Bromley, in Staffordshire, give details Chap. VII
of a family there. John Gresley (who died in 1742) married on
Feb. 23, I72f, Martha Bunn (?), and their family was :— William
(bapt. 172S), John (bapt. 1729), Thomas (bapt. 1735), Benjamin
(bapt. I73f, died 17^!;'' Martha (bapt. 1740).
l8th cent. ? Gresleys of Congerston in Leicestershire. A paper among
the Rev. J. M. Gresley's collections with no dates and no mention of
the authorit}'. gives John as having two sons John (who had a son
John) and Philip, and a daughter who married — IVIellis.
1792. W. B. Gresley signed a petition « in 1792 against the African Slave- q Hist. MS!
trade. Comm. v.
1798. Gresleys of Basford, near Nottingham. Gervas G. married Sarah PP- ^97-
Lighten ■' on Oct. 29, 1798. r Basf. Ch.
1854. Philip Gresley was a witness' in a case of assault in London in Reg.
June 1854. = Morning
1867. Isaac M. Gresley was injured in a railway accident at Methley Post, June;
near Leeds in April 1867, and died on April 4 in the following year ^'
aged 62'. ' Times, Aj
1896. Messrs. Gresley and Utermarck occur in Gore's Liverpool Directory ^' ''^^^•
as merchants at 13 Drury Lane.
NOTE A.
Account of the Coronation of George IV
(in three letters from Richard Newcombe Gresley : see p. 148).
(I)
My dear William, J"'y ^^^^' ^^^i.
You will expect to hear something of the Coronation, as we shall
bear rather a conspicuous part in it ; most of it you will read in the
papers, but if anything of consequence takes place which you will
perhaps not see there, I will write you word at the end of this letter
on Friday. Goodenough has exerted himself very much in our favour,
and has got places for the whole of the Town Boys in the Nunneries ;
he tried, but we are afraid without success, to get us the K. S. places
in the Hall. Goodenough made an excellent speech in school this
morning, informing us in a fluent manner, and at some length, that
as it had been his Majesty's most gracious favor to give us places in
the approaching Ceremony, we are to meet in school tomorrow morning
at 5 o'clock, in dress as if we were going to a dinner party; he gave
long directions and paid us compliments about conduct ; he said that
with regard to conduct, to People who in the mass so universally conduct
themselves well he should say nothing &c. The Town Boys will march
in four divisions headed by the Ushers, and we shall stand with
Goodenough in the two front rows of the Organ loft looking toward
the Chancel, so that we shall have one of the best places in the Church.
We rehearsed our part in Lockhours justnow ; Goodenough told us
158 The Grcsleys of Drakclovoe
that it has been an ancient custom for the King's Scholars of Westminster
to shout as the King passes us, but that this time, as the anthem will
probably not be over when he comes in, immediately that it is we
are to cry out as loud as we can— Vivat Georgius Rex-- raising our
voice at the end in a curious way ; we rehearsed, as I said, a short
time ago ; he set us off, and we hallowed away most harmoniously.
July 2oth.
I will now conclude my letter which I broke off rather abruptly
on Wednesday— We were all very much hurried then with providing
food for the Evening and the next day, for the Gates of Deans yard
were closed at five o'clock for the night. We all went to bed early
and were up at four the next morning. We breakfasted immediately,
and met Goodenough in School at a little before six. He distributed
tickets (which by the bye are specimens of Sir W. Congreave's new
printing;) we were then joined by Mrs. Goodenough, and proceeded
to the Abbey where we waited till i before 12, when the procession
appeared at the door. We had most of us taken the precaution to bring
some provisions ; some brought cake and wine, however I brouglit
sandwiches and a bottle of cold tea, and a little brandy in case I should
faint: but unfortunately the corks came out of both the bottles, and
the greatest comfort I experienced was from a volume of the Percy
Anecdotes which I luckily had put into my pocket. We sat in the
Organ loft, almost the best place in the Abbey, for we saw the procession
come in and we saw the whole of the Ceremony. The worst was that
the King's back was turned towards us in all the chairs he sat. As we
had a ceremony to perform we took the front rows in the Organ loft,
but when the Herb-woman and her maids came there, the Herb-woman
herself, a bold masculine looking woman, said that she could not think
of going behind, and that if we were Gentlemen we should give up our
places : however those who were next to her thought that if she had
been a lady she would not have asked, and considered it sufficient to
allow her to go behind ; they were explaining very civilly to her, but
she began to push and being a strong woman, forced herself into a front
seat and sat there fanning herself. When the anthem was over
Goodenough cleared his voice with a hem, and sung out melodiously;
we then shouted—Vivat Georgius Rex— six times, and we were cheered
very much— We shouted away and clapped gloriously at the Recognition
and at other times during the ceremony— The grandest part of the whole
was when the crown was placed on the King's head ; immediately the
trumpets and drums sounded, an immense shout was raised, and the
Peers put on their coronets— I will write again tomorrow.
Yours very truly, R. N. G.
W. Gresley Esq.,
Stowe Ilouse, Lichfield.
Tlic Coronation of George IV 159
(2)
,, , „ , S'. Peters, July 2ist, 1821.
My dear Brother, ■' ^
The shouting at the moment that the Crown was placed on the
King's Head was so great that it was attended by one unpleasant and
melancholy circumstance ; a gentleman was taken ill shortly before,
and the sudden voice brought on Fits of which yesterday it is said he
died — After the Crown was put on, Lord William Bentick (I believe) the
Almoner, threw about a quantity of silver medals. It was curious to see
the Peers in their coronets, and the Knights Commanders in their
plumes, the Heralds, Marshalmen, &c. S;c. all eagerly scrambling for
a medal, and crowding round the person who was throwing them
begging him to give them one. Lord Amherst in a squeeze put his
foot upon one, and sat quietlj' till the rush was over, and then snapped
it up when nobod}' was looking. The King was quite overcome by the
Recognition, to find himself so well received ; but afterwards at the Hall
he was so tired that he was obliged to stand on one leg, and was sinking
down, but they gave him something that looked like barley water, which
quite recovered him. The King did us great honor when he came out ;
there was an immense shouting, and he had walked along without
bowing, but when he came by us he tapped the Duke of Devonshire
with his sceptre and pointed to us ; he then gave us a gracious nod
and smile, and touched his Crown with his sceptre. The royal Dukes
were much applauded ; the Duke of York appeared very much affected
when he kissed his brother : by the bye all the Peers one after another
kissed the King's left cheek, and it is said he used nineteen pocket
handkerchiefs in mopping his face. — When he came in he looked too
large for effect, indeed he was more like an elephant than a Man,
and there were ten or twelve persons continually with him to bear up
his train. It was said, but I believe it was not true, that a pistol was
wrested out of a Man's hand as he was taking aim at his Majesty. If it
had been a fact we should have heard more of it. The Princess
Esterhazy lost a branch of Diamonds, and the elder Prince Esterhazy
wore a dress which was valued at ;^'ioo,ooo. The Queen, I suppose you
have heard, tried to obtain entrance at the doors, but the door-keepers
were ordered not to admit any improper persons, therefore of course
she was refused. She came through Ducklane and other blackguard
places to beat up recruits, and as she went back the few persons that
accompanied her broke as many windows as they could, and plastered
servants and carriages with mud if they did not salute the Queen.
I was really glad to hear that she had feeling enough to burst into tears
when she was hissed and execrated by the Mob, who had collected
round the Platform over which the procession was to pass. Lord Hood
made himself quite as great a fool as usual ; and when Alderman Wood
appeared, he was greeted with cries of ' turn out that Wood, drive him
away, off with him, off, off.'— At the Banquet the Champion was not
aujait in his horsemanship, and as the Marquis of Anglesea was leaning
i6o The Gresleys of Drakelowe
down, his cork leg failed him, and he was very nearly off his horse.
However it went off very well on the whole.— At the conclusion of the
Banquet there was a scramble for the Ornaments, and it was said some
spoons and plate were purloined. Morgan, who was there, stumbled
upon Dr. Goodenough : he was shifting a quantity of pyecrust and a pine
apple into his mouth, and he said to him, ' For heaven's sake, Morgan,
get me something to drink, — a little hock if possible.' Morgan brought
him a bowl of punch, and he appeared to receive much gratification
from washing down his mouthful. We went in the evening to see
the illuminations. I. Phillamore went in a curious figure, in a pair
of Corderoy Breeches, Wellington Boots, and an old blue coat of mine;
Partington and I went together; we heard a Man say that there was
free egress into the Park, so we went there ; There were excellent
fireworks and curious things on the Serpentine, such as Elephants,
Dragons, and Alligators ; we got in without any difficulty early in the
Evening, but we were about twenty minutes getting out again through
one of the gates : however we managed to get before three Butchers
and an Irishman, and they pushed us on very pleasantly without any
exertion of our own.
We were in the Abbey from six o'clock till four : we then got our
dinners, and most of us lay down and slept for some hours : at nine
we went out to see the fireworks, and got to bed by about one ; but
the next day, being a holiday, we had a long sleep, and got up in the
Morning scarcely feeling the least fatiguing effects from our exertions.
Yours affectly, R. N. G.
W. Greslcy Esqre,
Stowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
(3)
,, J „,.„. St. Peters Coll. July 26th.
My dear William,
... I heard that at the Coronation, when the Archbishop
preached about the burthens of Royalty, the King was observed to
wink at the Duke of York and point to his immense train which 10 or
12 persons were bearing. . . .
Believe me, Yours truly, R. N. Gresley.
W. Gresley Esqre,
Stowe House, Lichfield.
CHAPTER VIII
DRAKELOWE
(Written by Sir Robert Gresley, Bart.)
Drakelowe, to which so many references have been made
in the previous pages of this book, is situated on a bend
of the river Trent, on the borders of Derbyshire and
Staffordshire, the river forming a natural boundary between
the two counties. In only one sense can it be called
historical. It has been the home of twenty-eight generations
of one family, from the reign of Henry II to the present
day, being mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of 1170-71, 1171-72,
1188-89, ^nd 1201-2, as being held by Nigel de Gresley*; " See how-
and the manor has been held ever since by his descendants,
though their other properties, many of which marched with
it, have nearly all passed into other hands. In the reign
of King John, William de Gresley holds the manor of the
king, by the annual payment of a bow, quiver, and twelve
arrows, but how long this ancient tenure was kept up is
not known. In the year 1323 a robbery occurs, Johanna
Gresley's ' strong box ' being broken into, though what was
taken is not stated. Except the statement, now in the British
Museum, that in the year 1548 Drakelowe is a manor
(6 messuages, 1000 acres of pasture, 100 acres of land,
50 acres of meadow, 50 acres of wood, and a watermill),
held as in 1522, and others of a similar nature which occur
from time to time, there are scarcely any facts from an
historical point of view worth chronicling, and one may
ever p. 33.
i62 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Chap. VIII. be permitted to regret that the ancient privilege of gallows,
and all that it imphed, which was granted to Sir Geoffrey
Gresley in 1330, has passed into desuetude, and is now, like
many other good old customs, ' more honoured in the breach
than in the observance.' If this had not been the case
there would in all probability have been a few incidents
worth relating!
Leland in 1540 records that ' Sir George Gresley dwelleth
at the Manor Place of Colton, and hath a great park there
upon Trent a mile lower than Haywood, he hath upon Trent
a mile lower than Burton town a very large manor place and
park at Draekelo.' This park (including the pleasure grounds
and that part now called 'The Warren,' and in old times
'The Hare Park') is nearly 580 acres in extent, of which
the Deer Park contains 207 acres ; it is fairly well wooded,
and in spite of the gales which in recent years have done
much damage, there are still a good many fine old trees
dotted about it, especially beeches and oaks, while some
of the limes near the house are really very fine trees. But
it is the pleasure grounds and gardens which are the chief
beauty of the place, many of the hollies and yews lining
the walks being well over 30 feet in height. Most of the
latter are 'faced' in the old-fashioned way. When these
were laid out is not known, but the rose garden and round
garden have an eighteenth-century air about them, and
probably date from that period, if not before.
With regard to the present house, it is not known when
it was built, nor is it easy, even to the architect's eye, to
determine the point, the fact being that it has been much
altered and added to at different times. It is probable,
however, that the greater part as it stands is of no very
great antiquity, much of it being built in 1723, a date which
appears on the head of an old leaden water-pipe ; but it is
on exactly the same site as the ancient building, portions
of which are incorporated in the present structure, and
when some restorations were being done in Sir Roger's
time, some work was come upon said to be Norman. It was
Drakelowe 163
he who built the present billiard-room, and the bed-room
and dressing-room over it, and he also partially refaced the
west front of the house, and in fact altered it considerably.
Probably the most interesting room in the house is that
known as the large dining-room; it is, roughly, 42 feet
in length, by 25 in width, and 20 feet high. The walls
and ceiling are entirely painted over, and represent the
scenery near the Peak in Derbyshire. A wooden palisade,
painted green and fixed against the wall, does duty for the
modern dado, and makes the entire circuit of the room,
with gates for the doors, and the mantelpiece is composed
of Derbyshire spar, with a masque in the centre. The
design, which is a bold, not to say an ambitious one,
including as it does trees almost life-size, a river meandering
between rocks and under wooded banks, is carried out
in a masterly manner, and while the proportions of the
room are not interfered with, an impression of size is
produced in harmony with such a scene. It was executed
in about 1790, it is believed, by Paul Sandby, a well-known
artist; and a kind of distemper, not oils, is the medium
employed. The other rooms are not particularly remarkable
in any way ; most of them are panelled, and they contain
a good deal of antique furniture, china, and tapestry, also
a small collection of bronzes and ivories. Some of the
old beds are very handsome, and the carving elaborate,
yet with a certain rudeness about it. Five of them are oak
and two of ebony ; of these one of the former undoubtedly
dates from the time of Queen Elizabeth, the other four are
only a few years later, one bearing the date 1620 let into
the head. The two ebony beds are quite different in
character, being Portuguese or Spanish work of the
seventeenth century. Apparently there is no record as
to where they came from, or when they were first put in
the house ; possibly they may have been procured by
Walsingham Gresley when he went to Spain in Charles the
First's reign. Amongst the objects of interest in the house
is a beautiful contemporary model of a 74-gun ship of
M I
164 The Greslcys of Drakclozve
the earlier part of the eighteenth century ; it has no name,
but it has always been said to be a model of one of the
ships in which Sir Nigel Gresley served before he succeeded
his brother and retired. There are also some few pieces
of armour and some sixteenth and seventeenth century
swords. But probably the most interesting relic of the past
in the possession of the family is the jewel, said to have
been given by Queen Elizabeth to Catherine Sutton
(daughter of Lord Dudley, K.G., and wife of Sir George
Gresley, K.B.). It is a beautiful specimen of sixteenth-century
work, and forms a pendant which when open shows two
miniatures, of which one is a portrait of herself, and one
of her husband. There is no picture of this Lady Gresley
at Drakelowe, but there is one of her grand-daughter-in-law,
Katherine Walsingham, the wife of Sir Thomas Gresley,
who is portrayed wearing this identical jewel, which has
remained an heirloom ever since, and happily escaped being
stolen with the rest of Lady Sophia Gresley's jewels in the
great robbery which occurred in 1829. Besides pictures of
members of the family, many of which have been reproduced
in collotype in the special edition of this book, there are
pictures of various historical personages, such as James the
First, Prince Maurice, Lady Rich, and others, amongst which
the one of Flora Macdonald is especially interesting, as she
gave it herself to Sir Nigel Gresley '. The one of Sir John
Norris is also worthy of remark, chiefly from its quaint
inscription in Latin, stating as it does that in every way
he was the equal of Cyrus, Scipio, Hector, Hannibal, and
Achilles— a very modest statement indeed, but one which
history hardly corroborates ! And now little more remains
to be said. Drakelowe does not pretend in any way to
be a show place, but few who know it will deny a certain
stateliness and air of ancient comfort which seems par-
ticularly its own, and when on a hot summer's day one
' The inscription on the back says : ' This portrait of Flora Macdonald was given
by herself to Sir Nigel Gresley, captain in the koyal Navy, who captured her in
her flight from Scotland to France, from whom she experienced every civility, and
as a mark of her gratitude presented him with tliis picture, 1747.*
Drakelozve 165
strolls about its ancient grounds, imagination peoples them Chap. viil.
with its old owners, long since dead and buried, whose lives
have been briefly described in this book. Knights of the
Middle Ages, cavaliers, roundheads, gentlemen and ladies
of Queen Anne's time in wigs and patches, fox-hunting,
port-loving squires, like those depicted by Addison, and
dandies of the beginning of the century pass before us,
and one feels that they too have all in their turn owned
it as their home, and have spent here a portion at least
of their brief span of life, many of which lives were begun
and ended in the old house hard by; and it is these old
associations which, linked to personal memories and future
hopes, form that charm which makes these old country houses
so dear to Englishmen, and which coupled with their love
of sport and a country life, has helped in no small degree,
to form that patriotic spirit in which, in times of stress
and danger, the gentlemen of England have never been
found wanting.
NOTE A.
[Letters of Anna Seward, i 784-1807, vol. hi. 181 i, p. 380.]
Letter XCVL To the Rev. T. S. Whalley.
Lichfield, July 25, 1794.
A fortnight since, I passed a few days very pleasantly beneath the
spacious and elegant mansion of Sir Nigel Gresley, and amidst its
surrounding groves and lawns, which the taste of their owner has
rendered Arcadian. Sir Nigel has adorned one of his rooms with
singular happiness. It is large, one side painted with forest scenery,
whose majestic trees arch over the coved ceiling. Through them we
see glades, tufted banks, and ascending walks, in perspective. The
opposite side of the room exhibits a Peak valley; the front shows
a prospect of more distant country, vieing with the beauties of the real
one, admitted, opposite, through a crystal wall of window, the whole
breadth of the apartment. Its chimney-piece, formed of spars, and ores,
and shells, represents a grotto. Real pales, painted green, and breast-
i66 The Grcsleys of Drakelozve
high, are placed a few inches from the walls, and increase the power of
the deception. In these are little wicket gates, that, half open, invite us
to ascend the seeming forest banks. The perspective is so well pre-
served as to produce a landscape deception little inferior to the watery
delusion of the celebrated panorama.
Sir Nigel knows well how to animate and diversify the longest
summer-day. His sister Louisa, who lives with him, has all the comic
graces ; and his eldest daughter, an amiable girl of fifteen, wins every
person's love and esteem, by the sweetest attentions of innate politeness.
One evening, we had a large party on the Trent, which, in its best and
clearest expansion, rolls at the foot of the lawn. . . .
NOTE B.
Portraits at Drakelowe.
(i) Gresley Portraits
(in chronological order of date of death).
1. Sir George GrcsIey (xv), K.B., d. 1548. By Zucchero.
2. Catherine, Lady Gresley, ne'e Aston, d. 1585.
3. Katherine, Lady Grcsley, ne'e Walsmgham, d. 1585.
4. Walsingham Gresley, d. 1633. By Cornelius Jansen.
5. Thomas Gresley (xix), d. 1642.
6. Sir George Gresley, ist Bt. (xviii), d. 1651.
7. Ditto (with motto ' Quod desit, dolet ').
8. Bridget Gresley, nee Burdet, d. 1685.
9. Sir Thomas Gresley, 2nd Bt. (xx), d. 1699.
10. Sir William Gresley, 3rd Bt. (xxi), d. 1710.
11. Anne Gresley, sister of the last, d. about 1710-15.
12. Sir Thomas Gresley, 4th Bt. (xxii), d. 1746, with Dorothy Lady
Gresley (ne'e Bowyer), and their family.
13. Ditto, several miniatures of his children.
14. Sir Thomas Gresley, 5th Bt. (xxiii), d. 1753.
15. Ditto, by Kettle.
16. Sir Nigel Gresley, 6th Bt. (xxiv), d. 1787.
17. Ditto, in naval uniform.
18. Elizabeth, Lady Gresley {ne'e Wynne), d. 1793.
19. Wilmot, Lady Gresley (ne'e Gresley), d. 1790. By Sir Joshua Reynolds.
20. Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley, 7th Bt. (xxiv), d. 1808.
21. Ditto, miniature in snuff-box.
22. Rev. William Gresley, of Seile, d. 1829, a miniature.
23. Sir Roger Gresley, 8th Bt. (xxv), d. 1837. | length.
24. Ditto, full length.
25. Ditto, \ length.
Drakeloive 167
a6. Sir Roger Gresley, 8th Bt. (xxv), d. 1837, a miniature. Chap. VIII.
37. Ditto, miniature.
a8. Ditto, miniature.
29. Sir William Nigel Gresley, 9th Bt. (xxv), d. 1847.
30. Ditto.
31. Lady Sophia Gresley {ne'e Coventry), d. 1875.
33. Ditto, miniature.
33. Ditto, miniature.
34. Ditto, miniature.
(2) Miscellaneous Portraits
(in alphabetical order of names).
35. Sir John Bowyer, d. 1666?
36. 5th Earl of Coventry, d. 1751.
37. Countess of Coventry, nee Gunning, d. 1760.
38. Lord Dudley, K.G., d. 1532.
39. Duchess of Hamilton, nee Gunning, d. 1790.
40. King James i, d. 1625.
41. Marchioness of Londonderry, me Vane-Tempest, d. 1865 (miniature),
42. Flora Macdonald, d. 1790.
43. Prince Maurice of Nassau, d. 1625. By Mirevcldt.
44. Ditto? By F. Bol.
45. Duchess of Montmorency.
46. Sir John Norreys, d. 1597.
47. Duchess of Portsmouth, d. 1734.
48. Bishop Edward Reynolds, d. 1676.
49. Mrs. Reynolds, his wife.
50. 51. Lady Rich. By William Honthorst.
52. Countess of Salisbury, ne'e Bcnnot, d. 1713.
53. Lady E. Spencer.
54. Two miniatures of girls.
55. Miniature of three children.
56. Picture painted by Lucas Cranach, from the Prince of Monaco's
collection.
57. Picture of a Lady, bought in Italy by Sir Thomas Gresley, loth
Bt.
58. Picture of a widow- lady, with the arms (apparently) argent, three
chevrons gules : of the time of Elizabeth or James i ; with three
rings on the left hand, which is holding a gold chain.
59. Picture of a Lady dressed in bright pink, holding a basket of
flowers : in French style, in an oval frame.
i68 The Grcslcys of Dmkelozve
60. Picture of a gentleman in blue, with wig: perhaps Sir William
Bowyer.
61. Picture of a gentleman in brown coat with silver buttons, carrying
a dog in his hand: in a black frame: probably Sir Thomas
Gresley, 4th Bart.
62. Picture of a Lady, in blue dress, with flowers in her left hand : in
a black frame : probably Gertrude, Lady Gresley, ne'e Grammer,
2nd wife of the preceding.
63. Portrait of a Lady, said to be Queen Henrietta Maria.
64. Portrait of a child with dog.
Portraits at 55 Great Cumberland Place, London ;
all from Nether Seile.
65. Sir Thomas Gresley, 2nd Bt., d. 1699.
66. Thomas Greslej', Esq., 2nd son of the 2nd Bt. (?), d. 1743.
67. Mrs. Gresley, me Vincent, d. 1769 : by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
68. Sir Nigel Gresley, 6th Bt., d. 1787 : in naval uniform : a miniature.
69. Mrs. Gresley, ne'e Gresley, d. 1806, with her two nieces Mrs. Levett
(d. 1845) and Mrs. Heathcote, lue Gresley (d. 1813): a slightly
coloured drawing by J. R. Smith.
70. Miss Hannah Vincent, d. 1808: by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
7 1. Miss Gresley.
72. Miss Gresley.
Portraits at Barton under Needwood.
73. Rev. Sir William Nigel Gresley, 9th Bt., d. 1847 • ''y Buehner.
74. Ditto, a miniature.
75. Georgina Ann, Lady Gresley, me Reid, a miniature.
(Note.— The pictures of scenery, the tapestry, the china, the stained
glass windows and other treasures of the house cannot be here described.)
APPENDIXES
LIST OF APPENDIXES
A. Notes relating to the Castle, Priory and Church
OF Gresley 171
B. Notes on the Manors and Possessions of the Family 183
C. The Gresley Arms, Seals, Crest, and Motto . . 205
D. The Grellys, Barons of Manchester, and other
families of similar name but unconnected with
the Gresleys 208
E. Account of the MSS. and Authorities of which use
HAS been made 213
APPENDIX A
NOTES RELATING TO THE CASTLE, PRIORY
AND CHURCH OF GRESLEY
A. GRESLEY CASTLE.
The traveller from Burton to Leicester, just before he ap-
proaches Gresley station, about four miles from Burton, may
notice high above him on a hill to the left, one of those green
knolls which are so attractive to the antiquary. The first glance
will show him that it is no natural eminence, but a mound raised
either for sepulture or for defence. In the present case, the name
of the village, the traditions of the place, and the disturbed surface
of the field to the north and east of the mound suffice to prove that
these are the visible remains of Gresley Castle.
The mound is circular, and even at the present time over
twenty feet high, and perhaps loo yards in circuit at the base, but
must have been more imposing before the levelling forces of
Nature had worn it down. Its shape and position, however, serve
to recall the old Norman earth-mounds on which the donjon keep
was erected, and which was the earliest, as it seems likely to be
the latest, form of defensive fortification. It is quite possible that
surface excavations in the surrounding field would reveal the
outline of the courtyards and gateway of the Castle, but till this
is done it is unsafe to venture on anything more than a conjecture
that these lay chiefly to the north of the keep in the direction of
the high-road. There is still a deep fosse round the mound.
No record whatever has come down to us of the building of
the place. All that can be said is that when Drakelowe was
depopulated at the close of the eleventh century » the vill of Gresley • Sec p. 23.
profited by its neighbour's fall, and became the abode of the first
P-25-
172 TJie Gresleys of Drakeloive
Gresley. In about 1150 we find a deed of the Earl of Chester b
dated ' apud Greselegam,' and it is natural to assume that William
Fitz-Nigel de Gresley had before then planned or begun the forti-
See at foot, fications, probably adapting them to suit a pre-existing mound <= :
but whether the outer works were military or domestic, cannot be
determined, nor does the name of Castle Gresley occur before
See p. 26. 1268 d. The building must have been abandoned by about that
date, or we should have found some mention of it in existing
documents.
B. GRESLEY PRIORY.
On a ridge of high ground, about a mile east of the Castle, but
separated from it by a wide valley, stood the Priory of Gresley,
built by William Fitz-Nigel de Gresley, who probably died in
Seep. 27. ii66e. It was dedicated to St. George, and contained Canons
Regular of the order of St. Augustine. The following account by
the Rev. J. M. Gresley gives a description of the excavations
undertaken by him in 1861, the results of which are shown in the
plan of the priory : —
The Priory of St. George of Gresley, Derbyshire.
(Ashby-de-Ia-Zouch, 1861, 8".)
In the reign of King Henry the First, a.d. 1100-1135, William
de Gresley, son of Nigel de Staflbrd (mentioned in Doomsday-Book),
founded near his Castle of Gresley, Derbyshire, a small Priory of
Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, dedicated to St. George.
It subsequently received other grants of land ; and shortly before the
first dissolution of Monasteries in 1536 by Henry the Eighth, it was
found possessed of property in Gresley, Linton, Swadlingcote, Harth-
Heathcote. cote«*, Newton, Boothorpe, Seile, Donisthorpe, Oakthorpe, Chilcote,and
Foremark, and of the rectory of Lullington, of the clear value of
/31 6s. od. per annum. In 1543 the King sold the site of the Priory
and the bulk of its estates to Henry Criche, probably one of the many
speculators in Monastic propertj' at that period. Thirteen years after-
wards it passed to Sir Christopher Allcyne, of the Mote, in Kent, the
first of that family who settled at Gresley, son of Sir John Alleyne,
twice Lord Mayor of London in the reign of Henry the Eighth, who
by his will gave a rich gold collar and jewel to be worn by the Lord
Mayor and his successors. From the Alleynes it passed in the last
century to the Meynells, and afterwards to the Gresleys of Drakelow.
' In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the natural form of keep would be
square, unlcsi an existing mound made a circular or nearly circular shape more
convenient.
Grcslcy Priory 173
The late Sir Roger Gresley, Bart., sold it in 1827. The site of the Priory
had been previously detached from the Gresley Hall estate.
The Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, or Black Canons,
as they were called from the colour of their habit or dress, combined
the duties of parish priests and monks. Consequently the same Church
was frequently a divided property; the Nave belonging to the parish-
ioners, the Chancel or Choir to the Canons. Such probably being the
case at Gresley, the Choir of the Church was sold by the King, as well
as the domestic buildings of the Monastery and its estates. These
edifices were most likely very soon demolished ; partly from fear of
their being again demanded for Divine Service, and partly, we may
suppose, to build a residence, Gresley Hall, for Sir Christopher Alleyne.
The parishioners still retained their Nave, and the land north of the
Church as their burial-ground ; but the rest, which had belonged to
the Canons, was desecrated. In the year 1840 the site of the Choir
was purchased as an addition to the parish burial-ground : human
remains being found there, the Bishop of Lichfield considered that
consecration of it was not required. The rapid increase of population
in the place since that time now demands a further enlargement, and
the Earl Howe, as trustee to the Marquis of Hastings, to whom the land
immediately south of the Church belongs, has consented to a grant of
a piece of ground for that purpose. It was therefore necessary to
ascertain whether this had been consecrated, and an opportunity was
also thus given for the investigation of any remains which might exist of
the Monastic Edifice.
Thirty-two feet south of the south-east angle of the Tower of the
Church, (which stands at the east end of the north aisle of the Nave,)
the foundation of a thick wall was discovered running southward.
Fragments of windows of the fourteenth century, of painted glass,
and of encaustic tiles with coats of arms and various devices, were found
above it. On the west side of it a Stone Coffin, cut out of a single block,
with a circular cavity for the head and tapering to the feet, was dis-
covered ; and on the left side of this another Coffin formed of upright
slabs of stone. These contained human remains carefully placed. Four
other interments were found side-by-side of these : one of them had
been buried in a wooden Coffin : another seemed to have had stones
placed around him after he had been laid in the earth: the other two
appeared to have been buried without any protection. No rings or
other valuables were found with them ; only a copper buckle or two,
which probably fastened the girdle of their habit in which they were
buried. The arms or hands of all had been religiously crossed in front
of the body. Lying thus undisturbed in a row they presented a striking
appearance. Further westward of these was another interment, and
four more on the east side of the wall. Of the latter, one was in a Stone
Coffin similar to that first found. The stone lid was upon it, but broken,
ornamented with a Cross, the ends terminating with Fleurs-de-lis, but
without date or inscription. Upon removing this, the remains were
found to have been previously disturbed. Coffins of this description
were in use chiefly during the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
centuries, to which period these may be assigned, containing in all
174 The Gresleys of Drakeloive
probability the bodies of Priors and other inmates of the house. The
absence of anything valuable in them may be accounted for by the
limited income of the establishment : the Canons could not afford to
bury such things.
Another foundation of a thick wall, eastward of the one first found,
and parallel with it, was discovered. A bevel on the east side of it
showed that to have been the outside. On the west side of it were the
remains of a fire-place with a stone fender. By the side of this a large
drain was found, running south and south-west with the fall of the
ground. Many other foundations of walls running north and south,
east and west, were discovered, but at present not so connectedly as
to allow any plan of the buildings to be ascertained. There are, how-
ever, indications that the Priory was built on the usual plan, with
a Cloister-court, surrounded by the Chapter-house, Refectory, Dormitory,
&c. There can be no doubt that this was the burial-place of the Canons,
some of them probably in the Cloister-court, others in the Chapter-house.
The greatest care has been taken to prevent the remains being treated
with disrespect, and, considering the thousands of persons who have
visited the spot, successfully so. It is intended that they shall be re-
interred, and a commemorative stone set over them.
Contributions towards the expenses, however small, will be gladly
received by
J. M. Gresley,
Over Seile,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
May i8, a.d. i86i.
Further excavations have brought to light the foundations of ranges
of buildings, forming three sides of a quadrangular Court, the Church
on the north side forming the fourth. On the east, south, and west
sides there are evidences of Cloisters, contiguous to which on the east
side were the Chapter-house, and three or four other apartments, one
of which had evidently been used for melting the lead at the time of the
dissolution, many strips and fragments of which lay about, and also
coal, dross, and the pipe of the bellows. In the Chapter-house lay
several of the Canons, who had been buried in wooden Coffins, the
nails of which remained. Here also were many fragments of painted
glass of the fourteenth centurj', portions of a base and columns of
Furbeck marble, some copper plates, probably from the bindings of books,
two silver pennies of Kings Edward the First and Second, the floriated
termination of an iron door-hinge, and a large key. Outside the south-
eastern angle of the quadrangle was an apartment with a fire-place:
this is the usual position of the Prior's Lodging. On the south side
of the Court was the Refectorj', with two small apartments at the east
end. The range of buildings extending along the west of the Quad-
rangle probably comprised the kitchen and domestic offices, if we may
so conjecture from the drains found there. The junction of the domestic
buildings with the Church has not been satisfactorilj* made out. North
l^
THE Pridry of ST George at
Gycs!eys of Dyctkelowc
GRESLEY PRIORV
(ground-plan)
Gresley Priory 175
of the Chapter-house was found part of a passage with a pavement of
yellow and black tiles, with a row of others along it with shields
of arms and knots, arranged lozenge-wise. In the east Cloister was
discovered another Stone Coffin, with a ponderous lid of sandstone
without ornament or inscription. This Coffin was of harder stone and
of better workmanship than the other two. The bones contained in it
had not been previously disturbed. Further northward in the same
Cloister was another Coffin formed of several stones : this had been
previously opened. Several other interments were found in this and
in the south Cloister. Near the Prior's Lodging some circular pieces
of black and yellow pottery were found, probably for the game of tables
or backgammon ; also broken drinking-cups with two handles, and
(particularly may be noticed) the iron shoeing of a mediaeval spade.
October, a. d. i86i.
A careful diary of the excavations was kept by the writer of
the above Account, and from it and other notes Mr. Herbert Hurst
has skilfully compiled the ground-plan which is here reproduced.
Annals of the Priory.
No connected history of the Priory is possible, from the scant
ness of the materials which have come down to us, and from the ' No. 5448!
small size of the foundation, which was no doubt destitute of any
of the appendages of larger houses, such as a Register or Chartu- log'u'e of
lary*'. All that can be done is to put down in chronological fJgColiri'"
order the succession of abbots and a few records of individual of Arms, is
canons and deeds of gift. The chief references for the House, ^°i"h'!h "^"^
other than papers at Drakelowe, are, Dugdale's Monasticon (ed. Abbey of
Ellis, vi. 410 : a meagre account), remarks by Pegge in Archceologia CreaJi^'^ co
V. 24, and Cox's Derbyshire Churches (iii. 367-376). No
Br
MS. Add.
occurs in an abstract of a lost charter of 1268 e, in which the 6060.
words run, ' Conventus Beatae Mari^ de Gresele,' but this is ^ Gresl.
probably due to carelessness of the scribe for the fuller expression ^ '/"^'" ' ''' °°'
which is found in Gresley Charter 34 ^ 'Deo et Sanctas Mariae , „ •' \^
. ^ 1 Brit. Mus.
et Sancto Georgio de Gresele,' in which the mention of St. Mary MS. Harl.
the Virgin has nothing to do with the dedication of the house. ^^^o, loll. i3
About A.D. 1150. Foundation of the Priory by William fitz- prhuid i'rf ^ "
Nigel de Gresley, see p. 26. Shirley's
1151-7. The first prior was no doubt Reginald, who is Shirieiana,
only once mentioned, as a witness to a deed of Henry fitz-Saward p. 6, 2nd ed.
which cannot be later than 1157 or earlier than 1151'. The P- 346.
rd's
1697 Cata-
176 The Grcsleys of Drakelowe
App. a. ' Reginaldus canonicus ' and ' frater Gilbertus ' who were witnesses
to an undated deed of Robert dc Grcsley (occ. 1166-circa 1183J)
'[f^l' - niay have been of this house,
artul. p. 15. -I
J* Red Bk. of 1186-7. Mention of the Priory of Gresley as in the Honour of
incasterJ*.
Walter was prior in the first half of the thirteenth century '^.
leOi.^68"^ Lancaster
» Brit. Mui
MS. Add.
6671, foi. 33. Richard, whose counter-seal occurs on a deed of the time of
'Gresley Henrv iii ', was prior not later than about 1240 1', and died
Charters 76, . -^ ' *^
152; cf. Gresl. in 1281.
„ Gresl ' ^^^^- ^" ^^y ^^ ^^ Priory petitioned ° their patron, through
Chartul. p. 29; W. dc Seile and J. de Bromley, to allow them to elect their own
MS^Add^"^' P'"'°''' Richard having lately died. No doubt this William de
8157, fol. 52. Seile then succeeded, as he occurs as Prior in 1291 <>.
MS."Add."^' I28f, Feb. 16. Robert de Gresley, presumably a canon of this
6671, p. 40. house, was on that day elected Abbot of Roucester, but as another
" Salt Soc. abbot on March 20, 128^, received the temporalities, he either
Ridw.' ^ ^^ died before that date or possibly even came back to Gresley as
Chartul. Prior on William's death, for a Robert prior occurs in 1308? and
p Lichf. Reg. j^ ^^ undated deed n.
1. 70'.
q Brit. Mus. 131 1. Roger de Aston was elected "• Prior, and occurs in 1328'
^t.r.o. -dx34i'.
^ Lichf. Reg. 1316, June 17. A decree" was issued by the Bishop of Lich-
'■ '^^' field for a reformation of the priory in the matter of pensions and
• Brit. Mus. f J
MS. Add. the like.
^'^Bodr MS ^3+"^' J"'y ^' R''"^"-'lp'i'JS de Bentele is made Vicar ^ of Lulling-
Ashm.833,' ton, but soon died and was succeeded on Oct. 11, 1344, by Simon
p. 430: with ^^ Longdon, who was followed on his demise by Radulphus de
the Prior's Fenny Drayton on Nov. 10, 1349. All three were Canons of
private seal. Gresley.
° Lichf. Reg.
i. 53«. i349i Aug. 26. John Walrant, formerly Canon, was appointed
' Ibid. ii. Prior w.
78% 81, 88'.
« Ibid. ii. 87. 1360-1. John Gresley occurs as Prior ^: and in 1365 an
« Gresl. inquisition of 37 Edw. 3, Jan. 28 shows that Sir John de Gresley
Chartul. p. 42. g jg^^jg j^ Heathcote, Swadlincote and Church Gresley.
1 Cox's Derb. "
Chh. iii. 389. J389. John Ray, Canon of Gresley, is made Vicar of Lul-
' Lichf. Reg. lingtony.
VI. 145. ^
• Bodl. MS. 1400. In this year John de Tutbury, who was in 1389 a Canon '^
Dndsw. 22, ^^^ sub-deacon, was appointed Prior. He occurs in 1409", and
Grcslcy Priory 177
is accused in 1413 of abducting ^' a nun of Brcwood, hut obtains App. A.
Salt Soc,
acquittal. He died in 1420''.
1420. Simon Balsham is 'vice Superioris fungens'",' presum- xyii. 17, 53,
ably in the interregnum. ^ '^^'
1420, Sept. 13. William de Sancto Ivone was elected Prior'', Chartul. p.53.
he and John de Bredon having been the two chosen by the ^^'''^-'''•
Priory, between whom their patron Sir Thomas de Gresley should ^q^a^ ^qsb^
make choice. He was undoubtedly Prior at his death in Dec. 402'^.
1438 or Jan. 143!, so that Cox's mention of William Sayborne p5j°''- ^ ^<^h.
as Prior in 1438 must be an error: probably 'Saiburne' is a mis- , ^^^^^ j^
reading of de ' Sco Yuone.' ix. 89".
1429. John de Burton, Canon of Gresley, was made Vicar « of ^j^/^.'^gr 16
Lullington. h MS^ „f S p_
T43I, Jan. 26. Richard of Coventry was installed f Prior, Wolfcrstan.
having been recommended ^ for the office to Sir Thomas de Gresley wickfhire ledl
on the 2ist by the Priory through their Sub- Prior John de Bredon, 173°) p-
on the death of William de Sancto Ivone. Richard occurs as '"^ '
J Derb. Chh.
a witness m 144^- b. iii. 3,0, from
1439. William Catton', Canon of Gresley, was made Prior of Episc'.Veg^
Erdbury in Warwickshire. t Harwood's
1450. Of Thomas, stated by CoxJ to be Prior in this year, (i8o67p-404.
I have not found other record before 1467, when he was elected ^ 1 coxs Derb.
a member of the Gild of St. Mary at Lichfield. Chh. iii. 380.
1453. Ralph Lyng, Canon of Gresley, was made Rector' of supra, iii.
Harshorn in Derbyshire. 370; from the
\ _ _ Lichf. Episc.
1476. John Smith is stated by Cox "> to have been appointed Registers;.
in this year and to have died in 1493. In 1487 he was a brother" " Harwood's
of the Gild of St. Mary at Lichfield. pp^sio, 320,
1493. Robert Mogge is stated by Cox ■" to have been in this ^j^; 3^^' ■*°^'
year appointed Prior: he occurs as such in 1503° and i5ioi\ o sir Tho.
1526. John Okely was prior in this year a and in 1528'", and wm.^'^^
until the storm of the Reformation burst upon the house. On p Gresley
May I, 1537, Letters Patent granted to him a pension « of £6 Charter 463.
a year for life. " "'•'^- 476-
■■ Harwood's
1529. John Cowopp, Canon of Gresley, was made Vicar of Lichfield,
Lullington'. P- 4i3-
' Bodl. MS.
In Dec. 1535 the Royal Commissioners (probably Layton and Rawl. C. 134,
Leigh) visited the Priory, and in 1536 it was surrendered into the [°'" ^^5'
hands of the King. After this the whole fabric of the Priory fell zu^^ix. 389.'
The Gresleys of Drake lozve
into decay, with the exception of the Priory Church which became
the parish Church of Gresley.
The successive owners or (in italics) tenants of the site have
been Henry Criche or Cruche (1540), Richard Appleton (?), John
Seymour (1550), Sir Christopher Allen (1558), Richard Dale (1616),
the IVIeynells (eighteenth centur}'), and the Gresleys of Drakelowe
(from about 1775 to 1828).
SEALS AND ARMS OF THE PRIORY.
The seal of the Priory is known in at least three forms: —
1. As sketched in the Gresley Chartulary at p. 19 (no. 3 :
cf. Jeayes, no. 52), in connexion with a deed of about a. d. 1220-30.
In this St. George, the patron saint, is depicted on horseback,
bearing a long lance and a kite-shaped shield, the whole of which
is visible, with the legend sigillvm : prioratvs : sti : georgii :
de:greseley. This appears to be the seal drawn in Brit. Mus.
MS. Add. 8157, fol. 21, from a Portsea MS.
2. The second seal, and the only one known to be still in
existence, is on a deed at Drakelowe of the time of Prior Richard
(about A. D. 1250), no. 76 in Mr. Jeayes's Catalogue, and described
with a facsimile in that work (p. x and plate i). It represents
St. George in armour on horseback, bearing a long lance with
a gonfanon, and a kite-shaped shield, half of which is visible,
apparently charged with an escarbuncle of eight rays. The legend
is SIGILLVM : SANCTi : GEORGII : DE : GRESELE. On the reverse is
the counter-seal or secretum of the Prior.
3. The third seal is known from sketches of it in three places
in the Gresley Chartulary (pp. 31 and 53), attached to deeds of the
dates 1281, 1300-1 and 1420. In this also St. George is repre-
sented on horseback, but the lance has given place to an uplifted
sword, a dragon is depicted beneath, and the horse bears on two
places a cross pattee, which is also on the shield. Behind the
rider is a small shield with the Gresley arms, and the legend is
SIGILLVM : c5vENTvs : stI : GEORGII : DE : GRESLEYA. A drawing of
this is in Bodl. MS. Ashm. 833, fol. 430, as from a deed owned
in 1658 by a Mr. Turnepenny, sub-chanter of Lichfield Cathedral,
and dated 1341, which bore at the back of the seal a secretum
Prioris.
Leland (Collectanea, vol. i. p. 49) depicts the arms of the Priory
Greslcy Church 179
'ex sigillo' as a cross pattee impaling the Greslcy arms, but he
probably took this from the third seal above.
C. GRESLEY CHURCH.
(From W. Wyrley's copy, in 1592, of the Visitation of Derbyshire
of 1569, in Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 6592.)
The Church of Gresley hath in it thes Armes followinge | it is
seated 2 miles from the Trent, amongest the woodes, whear
William the sonn of Nigell de Gresley founded a priorie in the
honore of St. George, the Ruines wherof remayne | of which
priorie the Gresleys wear patrons and had a necessarie voyce in
the election of the pryore | it doth appear to me by manie circum-
stances yt the Gresleys had the full complement of our Auncient
Barrens ; As fyrst, the hundred of Gresley, being one of the
divisiones of this Countie of Darbie, to be held by the Gresleys in
Barinagio | then a pryorie of their foundation, then their Castle of
their own Surnam, seted within a mile of the pryorie, toward the
Trent | then | their parke | at Draklow, the Ancient seat of their
house I And last that in old records roles and Cronicles of Antiquitie
the name of Gresley is euer numbered amongest the Barones :
This William the founder | had yssue Robert de Gresley knight
whom Mathew Paris remembereth, in k. John and Henrie the
third: lyffe whoe had yssue William, whoe had yssue Geofferey,
whoe had yssue William, whoe had yssue Geftbrey, who had yssue
Peter, whoe had yssue Gefforey, whoe had yssue John, who had
yssue Nicholas who had yssue Thomas, whoe had yssue John, whoe
had yssue John whoe had yssue Thomas, whoe had yssue George,
whoe had yssue William Gresley (as the rest from the begining |
had been knight) whoe had yssue Thomas Gresley esquier | my
very good friend of whom I may rightly with the poet say : ille
nobis hsec otia fecit : The pleasant sytuation of Draklow, (vpon the
banke of Trent on the South, northwest one mile from the Chastell
of Gresley) I will passe over, as not able to discribe the exelencie
therofxat the subuersion of the priorie of Gresley many their
moniments perished, in the parish Church thes under tricked
remayning [then follow eleven shields in trick, of France, England,
Vere, Beauchamp, Clare, Burgh, Stafford, Appleby (?), Gresley,
Gasteneys : the eleventh is, argent two wolves or hounds sable,
and the next sentence refers to this coat : — ] ther is one verie old
moniment of thes 2 woolfes in a syde vestment of whyt upon his
mayle, kneling [ of the time of H: the third at the least : {then
lowe,
180 The Greslcys of Drakelozve
folloivs, separate : — ] Hear lyeth the Bodie of S"^ George Gresley
knight and ladie katheren his wyff | Hetherto Gresley Churche
in Darbyshier.
(For the church, its monuments, and its vicissitudes Cox's
Derbyshire Churches, iii. 367-376, is the fullest and best authority :
see also the Topographer for 1789.)
The Monument of Sir Thomas Gresley in
Gresley Church.
The finest monument in the church is undoubtedly that of
Sir Thomas Gresley, the second Baronet, who died in 1699. After
his death William Inge, whose mother was Sir Thomas's eldest
daughter, seems to have had the chief direction of this memorial,
and soon after 1699 was in correspondence with Gregory King,
Lancaster herald, about the armorial details. Not only has an
At Drake- elaborate paper" by King come down to us, slightly injured, but
also a minute description " of the whole monument, dated October,
1777. The following paragraphs are from the latter document : —
' In the Abbey Church of Gresley, com. Derb., on the left hand
of the altar up to the wall is a large Monument of about 12 foot
high and 9 foot over ; under an Arch of Alabaster the figure of
Sir Tho: Gresley kneeling. Above the arch two urns, on each
side one, from each Urn a Mantle hanging down reaches to two
mourning boys, the one with his arms across, the other covering
his face with a mantle ; under the pedestal of one boy the arms of
Gasteneys, under the other the arms of Morewood (as being the
only heiresses with whom the family match'd) : within the Arch
a black Marble-table flat to the wall with this inscription
Sir Thomas Gresley
of Drakelow
in the County of Derby Baronet
Died the 5 of June 1699
Aged 70
At the Top of the Monument the sheild of Sir Tho: Gresley Bart.,
namely, Quarterly Gresley and Gasteneys with an inescocheon
of Morewood — a Canton for Baronet.
Round the Arch are 23 Escocheons placed as they are in
this paper, and below the Stone on which Sir Thomas kneels are
fourteen Escocheons without names placed as in this paper for the
fourteen children of Sir Tho: and Dame Frances his wife. The
Gresley Church
i8i
whole Monument is of Alablaster adorned with gold except the App A.
black inscription-table
The work of Sir W™ Wilson '
The arrangement of the arms is as follows, 1-23 being the chief
Escutcheons and i-xiv the smaller ones of the children of Sir
Thomas. The names of families are here added in brackets, but
are represented by coats of arms only, in the original.
(Gresley)
(Gresley—
blank)
3
(Gresley-
blank)
(Gresley— blank)
6
(Gresley— Bakepuiz)
8
(Gresley— Stafford)
10
(Gresley— Swinnerton)
12
(Gresley— Walsh)
14
(Gresley— Stanley)
16
(Gresley— Mulsho)
18
(Gresley— Walsingham)
20
(Gresley — Burdct)
22
(Gresley — Walcot)
Figure of
Sir Thomas Gresley
(Gresley — Somerville)
7
(Gresley— blank)
9
(Gresley— Gernon)
(Gresley— Gasteneys)
13
(Gresley— Clarell)
15
(Gresley— Ferrers)
(Gresley— Aston)
19
(Gresley— Ferrers)
21
(Gresley— M orewood)
23
(blank)
(Inge— Gresley) (Gresley) (Gresley) (blank— Gresley) (Watson —
Gresley)
vi vii viii
(Roby— Gresley) (Walcot— Gresley) \: then in ■znd line ■.—\ (Gresley)
ix X xi xii xiii xiv
(Gresley) (Gresley) (Gresley) (Gresley) (Gresley— Bott) (Gresley)
Among the other Gresley monuments at present in the Church
are memorials (i) to Elizabeth, Isabel and Katharine Gresley,
see p. 94 ; (2) to Dorothy Lady Gresley, see p. 104 ; (3) Wilmot
Lady Gresley, see p. 119; (4) Nigel, son of Sir N. B. Gresley,
see p. I2D.
APPENDIX B
NOTES ON THE MANORS AND POSSESSIONS
OF THE FAMILY
To trace the acquisition and devolution of the Gresley property
in detail would require a volume for itself, the materials being
copious and well-preserved. All that can be attempted in the
present Appendix is to provide a frame-work which some future
antiquary can use, by quoting the earliest authorities on the Gresley
possessions, and subjoining an alphabetical list of the various
places in which successive generations of the family have held
property, with a few notes.
The Domesday Survey of 1086 naturally supplies the starting-
point, to be succeeded by the early Pipe Rolls, the evidences of the
Black and Red Books of the Exchequer, the Testa de Nevill, and
the Hundred Rolls. The entries in these, as being of primary
importance, will be given in full.
I.
Entries relating to Nigel de Stafford or the Gresleys
IN THE Domesday Survey, the early Pipe Rolls, the
Red and Black Books of the Exchequer, the Testa
de Nevill, the Rotuli Hundredorum, and Placita de
Quo Warranto.
A. Domesday (a. d. 1086).
Derbyshire.
vi. Terra Henrici de Ferieres.
Mancrium. In Chetvn habuit Siuuard iij carucatas terr(j ad
geldam. Terra iij carucarum. Ibi nunc in dominio iij caruc?
& xiiij uillani & ij bordarij habcnt iiij carucas & xxiiij acras
Manors and Possessions of the Family 183
prati. Silua minor i quarentcna longitudine & i quarentciia App
latitudinc. T. R. E. & modo iialet Ix solidos. Nicellus tenet.
X. Terra Radvlfi film Hvberti.
Berewica. In Vffentune iiij bouatQ terr§ ad geldam. Terra Ufton in
dimidi? carucQ. Berewica in Pentric. Wasta est. Ibi ij ?",j"' ^^'"
acr§ prati. Silua pasturabilis dimidia leuua longitudine & iiij
quarenten? latitudine. Nigellus tenet.
xijij. Terra Nigelli de Statford.
Maneriuni. In Drachelavve& Hedcote. habuit EIric iiij carucatas Drakelnwe
terr(j ad geldam. Terra iiij carucarum. Jbi modo Nigellus ^ot'e^^'^^"'
de Stadford habet in dominio iiij carucas & vj uillanos habentes
iij carucas. Ibi est sedes j molini & xij acr^ prati. Silua
pasturabilis ij leuu^ & dimidium longitudine & ij leuu§ latitudine.
T. R. E. ualebat Ix solidos. modo xl.
Manerium. In Stapenhille. habuit Godric vi bouatas terr? ad Stapenhill.
geldam. Terra i caruc(j. Jbi nunc in dominio i caruca & iiij
uillani & iij bordarij habent i carucam. Ibi iij acr^ prati.
Silua minor i quarentena longitudine & i latitudine. T. R. E.
& modo ualet x solidos.
Manerium. In Sivardingescotes. habuit Godric i carucatam Swadlincote.
terr§ ad geldam. Terra i caruc§. Jbi nunc in dominio i caruca
& iiij uillani & ij bordarij habent i carucam. & i censarius habet
i carucam. Ibi i acra prati. Silua pasturabilis iiij quarenteng
longitudine & iiij latitudine. T. R. E. ualebat xx solidos
modo XXX.
Manerium. In Fornevverche. habuit Vlchel ij carucatas terr? ad Foremark.
geldam. Terra ij carucarum. Jbi nunc in dominio i caruca
& V uillani & iij bordarij habent i carucam. Ibi i molinus ij
solidorum & xx. iiij acr^ prati. Silua pasturabilis dimidia
leuua longitudine & tantundem latitudinc. T. R. E. ualebat
xl solidos modo xv solidos.
Soca. In Englebi iij bouat^ terr^ ad geldam. Terra iiij bourn. Ingleby.
Soca eiusdem Manerij. Ibiiuillanus & ii bordarij cum dimidia
caruca & iiij acrij prati.
Soca. In Tichenhalle i carucata terr? ad geldam. Terra i carucQ. Ticknall.
Soca pertinet ad Rapendun Manerium regis. Ibi habet (Repton.)
i84
The Greslcys of Drakcloive
Ravenston
(in Leictster-
sliire).
Donisthorp.
Oakthorp.
Trangsby
(unknown).
Nigellus i carucam in dominio & i uillanum & i bordarium cum
i caruca. Ibi x acr(j prati. Valet iij solidos. Quarta pars
silu§ pasturabilis eiusdem uill^. cuius longitudo est i leuua
& latitude dimidia leuua. pertinet ad Nigellum.
Manerium. In Smidesbi. habuit Eduinus ij carucatas terr§ ad
geldam. Terra ij carucarum. Ibi nunc in dominio i caruca
& V uillani cum i caruca. Silua pasturabilis dimidia leuua
longitudine & vi quarentenQ latitudine. T. R. E. ualebat
xl solidos. modo xx solidos.
Manerium. In Ravenestvn. habet Godric i carucatam terr§ ad
geldam. Terra i caruc^. Wasta est. Ibi viij acr§ prati.
T. R. E. ualebat xv solidos. modo xij denarios.
Manerium. In Dvrandestorp. habet Carle i carucatam terr§ ad
geldam. Terra dimidi§ caruc(j. Wasta est. T. R. E. ualebat
V solidos. modo iiij denarios.
Manerium. In Achetorp. habet Ernuin vi bouatas terre ad geldam.
Terra dimidie caruc§. Wasta est. T. R. E. ualebat v solidos.
modo iiij denarios.
Manerium. In Trangesby. habet Elnod dimidiam carucatam
terr? ad geldam. Wasta est. T. R. E. ualebat v solidos. modo
ij denarios.
Leicestershire.
Terra Henrici de Ferieres.
Twycross. Nigellus tenet de Henrico vi carucatas terr(j in Tvicros. T. R. E.
erant ibi vi carucQ. In dominio est i caruca cum i seruo. &
xi uillani cum vi bordarijs habent vi carucas. Valuit iij solidos.
Modo xl solidos.
Swepstone.
Nigellus tenet de H[enrico] x carucatas terr? in Scopestone.
T. R. E. erant ibi x carucQ. In dominio sunt ij caruc§. & xv
uillani cum presbitero & iij bordarij habent vi carucas. Ibi xij
acrf prati. Valuit xij denarios. Modo xl solidos. De hac
terra T. R. E. tenuit Sbern ij carucatas terr§. & quo uoluit ire
potuit. Reliquam terram tenuit Leuric. cuius terram tenet
Osmundus episcopus.
Winshill (!) in Nigellus tenet de H[enrico] in Windesers iij carucatas terr§ uastas.
crbys lire. rj. ^ ^ ^^^^^ jj^j jj (.^j-uce. Aluric libere tenuit.
Derbyshi
Nigellus tenet de H[enrico] in Lintone i carucatam terrg uastam.
Manors and Possessions of the Family 185
App. B.
Staffordshire,
ii. Terra episcopi de Cestre.
Ipse episcopus tenet Hvstedone. & Picot de eo. & Nigellus de Hixon.
Picot. Ibi " Ibi sunt v uillani cum ij carucis & iij acr? prati. ° In marg.
Valuit & ualet x solidos & ix denarios. qua'n'ta'tcrn
Ipse episcopus tenet Vlselei. & Nigellus de eo. Ibi dimidiahida wolseley.
pertinet ad Haiuuode. Ibi sunt iiij uillani & ij bordarij cum
i caruca & iij acr§ prati. Valuit & ualet xl denarios.
Ipse episcopus tenet Scoteslei. & Nigellus de eo. Ibi ij carucat^ Scotsley
terr(;. In dominio est una caruca. & viij uillani & ij bordarij i""''"°^™)-
cum i caruca. Ibi i acra prati. Valet x solidos.
Ipse episcopus tenet MoRTONE. & Nigellus de eo. Ibi ij carucat? Morton, in
terr§. In dominio est una caruca. & ij uillani & iiij bordarij C'^'w'^h.
cum dimidia caruca. Ibi ij acr§ prati. Valet v solidos.
Ipse episcopus tenet Dregetone. & Nigellus de eo. Ibi est unus Drointon.
uillanus cum dimidia caruca. Valuit & ualet xxx denarios.
Ipse episcopus tenet Licefelle ... Ad ipsum Manerium pertinent Tamhorn.
hec membra . . . Tamahore terra iiij carucarum. Nigellus
tenet . . .
xiii. Terra Ricardi Forestarii.
RiCARDVs Forestarius tenet de rege Tvrvoldesfeld. & Nigel de Thursfield.
eo. Bernulfus tenuit & liber homo fuit. Ibi est i uirgata terr§.
Terra est ij carucarum. Ibi est una [caruca?] cum ij uillanis
& i bordario. Silua i leuua longitudine & tantundem latitudine.
Valet x solidos.
Isdem R. tenet Witemore. & Nigel de eo. Vlfac tenuit & liber Whitmore.
homo fuit. Ibi est dimidia hida. Terra est iij carucarum. In
dominio est una [caruca] & iij uillani & ij bordarij cum i caruca.
Ibi i acra prati. Silua i leuua longitudine & dimidium
latitudine. Valet x solidos.
Isdem R. tenet Heneford. & Nigellus de eo. Ibi est una uirgata Handford.
terr§. Terra est i carucf. Vasta est. Toulf tenuit. Silua
modica xx pertic? in longitudine & latitudine. Valet ij solidos.
Isdem R. tenet Claitone. & Nigel de eo. Clayton.
1 86 The Gresleys of Drakcloive
XV. Terra Radvlfi filii Hvberti.
Kingsley. Isdem Robertus de Buci [qui tenet ii hidas in Bretlei de Radulfo]
tenet in Chingeslei i hidam de Radulfo. & Nigel de eo.
Leuuric tenuit & liber homo fuit. Terra est i caruc§. Jpsa
est in dominio. & ii acr§ prati. Silua ibi i leuua longitudine &
iilj quarenten§ latitudine. Valuit vi solidos. modo x solidos.
xvi. Terra Nigelli.
Thorp Con- NiGELLVs tenet ToRP. Jbi Sunt iii hid§. Terra est vi carucarum.
stantine. jj^ dominio est una &. vij uillani & vi bordarii habentiiij carucas.
Ibi viij acr? prati. Valuit xx solidos. modo xl solidos.
Vluuinus tenuit. Hanc terram calumniatur Nicolaus ad
firmam regis in Cliftone.
In Chingesleia.
Kingsley. Idem Nigellus tenet de rege iij hidas. Terra est iij carucarum.
Leuric libere tenuit T. R. E. Ibi sunt iiij uillani & vij bordarij
cum i caruca & dimidio. & una acra prati. De ipsa terra tenet
Liolfus ij hidas de Nigello. Totum ualet xvij solidos.
Morton in Idem N[igellus] tenet i hidam in Mortone. Terra ij carucarum &
*^"°^^"- ij uillani & ij bordarij cum i caruca. Valet x solidos.
Note on Nigel de Stafford's Domesday tenures, and their
probable devolution till about 1200 (partly based on
information from Gen. Wrottesley).
Of their Domesday manors in
Derbyshire the Gresleys lost : —
Foremark
Ingleby
Smisby
Stapenhill
Ticknall
Trangsby
Twycross
And they gained in their
place : —
Bilstone
Coton
Gresley (two manors)
Heather
Linton (a second fee)
Lullington
Norton
Swannington (a small estate)
P.erhaps all acquired by ex-
change in the first quarter of the
twelfth century.
Manors and Possessions of the Family 187
Donisthorp, Drakelowe, Heathcote, Oakthorp, Ravenston and
Swadlincote were retained.
To 'promote' (that is, set up) Ralph de Gresley (p. 28) some
manors were alienated, for he obtained a fee in Gresley, Heather
and Ravenstone and perhaps all the fees held by the Gresleys of
Ralph fitz-Hubert (Ufton and Kingsley).
The Gresleys lost all the fees held of Richard the Forester
(Thursfield, Whitmore, Hanford and Claj'ton) and retained all but
one of those held of the Bishop of Chester (Hixon, Wolseley,
Scotsley, Morton in Colwich and Tamhorn, but not Drointon).
And they acquired from the Abbot of Burton Darlaston and
Caldwell : but Darlaston was subinfeuded to promote Engenulph,
a younger son (p. 27).
When Drointon was lost, they seem to have acquired by exchange
the fee of Longford, and this was subinfeuded to promote another
cadet of the family, Nicholas de Gresley, who married Margaret
the heiress of Longford.
It must be understood that most of the above statements are
inferences and not ascertained facts.
B. Early Pipe Rolls, printed.
31 Hen. i (1130)?
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Willelmus de Griseleia reddit compotum de x marcis argenti pro p.
conuentione de terra inter eum & Radulphum Barret \_sic]. In the-
sauro xl solidi. Et debet vij marcas argenti.
Serlo de Burg debet Ix libras & vij solidos & vj denarios de p. 31.
bianco de veteri firma de Notingehamscire & Derbiescire . . . Et
xiij marcas argenti pro placito quod fuit inter eum [sc. Radulphum
Basset] & Robertum Greslet.
17 Hen. ii (11 70).
Lancastra.
Et [Rogerus de Herleberga] debet xiii libras & xvi solidos p. 29.
numero qui remanserunt super terras quas Willelmus filius Walke-
lini & Nigellus de Greseleia tenent.
Similar entries in 18 Heij. ii (1171), 21 Hen. ii (1174).
21 Hen. ii (1174).
Lancastra de tribus annis.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
App. B. Rogerus de Herleberga reddit computum . . . de terrls datis
p. 7, cf. pp.
. . . Nigello de Greseleia, xlviii solidos de dimidio anno in
Drakelawa [similarly in i Rich, i (1189), 3 John (1201)].
Staffordescira.
p. 68. Idem Vicecomes reddit compotum . . . de v marcis de Roberto
de Greselega, quia adduxit quern [?j plegiauit [?] coram lusticiario
aliter quam eum plegiauerat.
C. Testa de Nevill.
(Lend. 1807, folio : compiled in the first half of the thirteenth
century.)
COMITATUS NOTINGHAMSHIRE ET DERBYSHIRE.
Feoda militum . . . qui non habent brevia de habendo scutagio.
De Willelmo filio Galfridi de Gresleg xl solidos pro uno feodo
militis in Linton de eodem feodo [scil. comitis de Ferrariis].
De Willelmo de Greseleg & Gilberto de Setgrave xxx solidos pro
tribus partibus feodi in Linton de eodem feodo.
Veredicta juratorum de singulis wapentakis . . . de escaetis,
dominabus, vadletis & puellis, &c.
Willelmus de Gresele tenet Drakelawe in capite & reddit unum
arcum sine corda & i (pharctram) de Tutisbiry & xij sagittas &
unum buszonem
Feoda militum in Comitatibus Salopia & Stafford. Baronia (vel,
Feoda) J. filij Alani.
Willelmus de Gresele dimidium feodi in Kingeston,
Manors and Possessions of the Family 189
Nomina eorum qui tenent feoda militaria in comitatibus Warrwick-
shire & Leycestersliire & de quibus ipsi tenent.
Feoda Comitis de Ferrarijs.
In Parva Esseby dimidium feodi quod Willelmus de Leyre tenet
de Willelmo de Gresele & ipse de Comite de Ferrarijs. P- 54-
In BiLDisTON tertia pars unius feodi quam Radulphus Grym tenet
de Willelmo de Gresle & ipse de eodem comite.
In Norton due partes unius feodi quas idem Willelmus de Gresle
tenet de eodem Comite.
In SwANiNTON Willelmus le Bretun dat xxxiij denarios ad scutum
xls & tenet de Willelmo de Gresel & ipse de eodem Comite. P- 95-
D. Red Book of the Exchequer [and Black Book).
(Rolls Series edition : compiled in the thirteenth century.)
A. D. I20I-I2. Scutagia incipientia anno ii° Regis Johannis et
completa in xiii". P- i^
Derbyshire. De honore Peverelli.
Radulfus de Greselega iij milites.
A. D. 1166. Staffordshire. Witness of Richard bp. of Coventry.
Milites qui fuerunt feodati tempore Henrici regis [primij. p. 263.
Robertas de Gresleia [debet] j militem.
A. D.I 166. Staffordshire.
Robertus de Stafford habet Ix feoda . . ., scilicet Ij de servitio p. 265.
militum . . . De supradictis Ij . . . Robertus filius Radulfi tenet
feoda vij militum, scilicet . . . Engenulfus de Gresleia ij partes
[unius militisj.
A. D. 1166. Derbyshire. Witness of William Earl of Ferrers.
Tempore Henrici regis [primi].
I go The Grcsleys of Drakelowe
App. B. Willelmus filius Nigelli [tenuit] feoda iiij militum ; et Robertus,
P- 336.
filius suus, modo tenet eosdem milites.
Radulfus Parvus, feoda ij militum ; modo tenet Rcginaldus de
Griseleia.
A. D. 1210-12. Lancashire. Serjanteriae.
Willelmus de Greslega [tenet] Drakelowe per unum arcum sine
corda et pharetram de Lancastre et xij sagittas et j bozonem.
A. D. 1211-12.
p. 587- Nota quod Simon de Farar[iis] habet totum servitium Willelmi de
Greslega per j arcum perquirendum et xij sagittas, sicut con-
tinetur in ij Regis Johannis, in Rotulo Cancellariae.
E. Rotuli Htindirdoruin, a. d. 1274-5.
Derbyshire.
Qui alii a Rege clamant, &c.
Galfridus de Gresel Almaricus de Sancto Amando Ricardus de
Corsum apud Crosal habent furcas nesciunt quo warranto.
F. Placita de Quo Warranto.
(Excerpts from ' Placita De Quo Warranto temporibus Edw. I. II.
& III.' Lond., 1818, folio.)
CoMITATUS DeRBIENSIS.
Placita De Quo Waranto coram W. de Herle et Sociis suis
Justiciariis itinerantibus in comitatu Nostro Derbiensi die Lune
proximo post festum apostolorum Petri et Pauli Anno Regni Regis
Edwardi tertii a conquestu Quarto [July 2, 1330.]
p. 141. (1)
summonita. Johanna que fuit uxor Petri de Gresleye summonita fuit ad
riX^n^ °"' respondendum domino Reg! de placito quo waranto clamat habere
Drakelowe in manerio suo de Drakelowe liberam warennam visum franci-
lington. Pl^&'i infangethef furcas wayf et extrauras et eciam in manerio suo
de Lullyngton' liberam warennam infangethef et furcas etc.
Manors and Possessions of the Family 191
Et Johanna per Johannem Child attornatum suum venit Et quo- App. B.
ad omnes libertates superius nominatas exccpta libera warenna in
Drakelowe et Lulyngton' etc. dicit quod ipsa et omnes qui pre-
dicta maneria tenuerunt a tempore quo non extat memoria habuerunt
omnes libertates illas tanquam eisdem maneriis pertinentes in
forma predicta Et eo waranto clamat libertates illas etc. Et quo-
ad liberam vvarennam habendam in maneriis predictis etc. dicit
quod dominus Edwardus nuper Rex Anglie pater domini Regis
nunc per cartam suam concessit et confirmavit cuidam Petro de
Greseley quod ipse et heredes sui imperpetuum habeant liberam
warennam in omnibus dominicis terris suis in Drakelowe et
Lullyngton' dum tamen terre ille non sint infra metas foreste
Regis Ita quod nullus intret terras illas ad fugandum in eis vel ad
aliquid capiendum quod ad warennam pertineat sine licencia et
voluntate ipsius Petri et heredum suorum super forisfacturam Regi
decem librarum Et profert predictam cartam predicti Edwardi Regis
etc. que premissa testatur in forma predicta etc. cujus data est
quinto die Augusti anno regni sui tercio Et dicit quod ipsa tenet 1309
predicta maneria de Drakelowe et Lullyngton que predictus
Petrus tunc tenuit etc. scilicet manerium de Drakelowe de dono
Walteri de Bynkelurn qui illud dedit predicto Petro et ipsi Johanna
tenendum sibi et heredibus suis etc. Et similiter manerium de
Lullyngton' in dotem etc. de hereditate Galfridi de Greslej'e etc.
Et Willelmus de Denum qui sequitur pro domino Rege dicit
quod predicta Johanna non habet in manerio suo de Drakelowe
judicialia que ad visum franciplegii pertinent nee eciam furcas
ibidem nee eciam furcas in predicto manerio suo de Lullyngton'
Dicit similiter quod predicta Johanna semper usa est amerciare illos
qui deliquerunt in articulis visus franciplegii quocienscunque deli-
quissent et nunquam ponere illos ad judicium pillorii neque tumbrelli
Et hoc petit quod inquiratur pro Rege Petit eciam quod inquiratur
etc. qualiter predicta Johanna usa est predictis warennis etc. et si ha-
buerit predictas libertates superius clamatas titulo prescripcionis etc.
et si sic tunc qualiter illis usa est etc. Ideo inquiratur etc.
[Decision of the Jury: — ] xii juratores dicunt super sacramentum Rights estab-
suum quod predicta Johanna et illi qui predicta maneria tenu- -vvarrenTn
erunt a tempore concessionis warenne predicte bene usi sunt both manors,
warennis illis in omnibus prout requiritur Et quoad predictum
visum habendum dicunt quod predicta Johanna et omnes illi qui
predictum manerium de Drakelowe tenuerunt a tempore quo frankpledge
non extat memoria sine interrupcione habuerunt visum franci- at Drakelowe,
plegii in eodem manerio set dicunt quod non habent pillorium nee
192
The Gresleys of Drakclowe
frankplerfge
at Lullington,
and infange-
thef in both.
tumbrellum Et dicunt quod predicta Johanna semper usa est
amerciare illos qui deliquerunt in articulis visus predict! et nun-
quam ponere eos ad penam corporalem adeo bene tercia vice et
pluribus sicut prima vice vel secunda Et dicunt quod habuit furcas
in predictis maneriis ante sumptionem itineris propter sui exilitatem
Et dicunt quod ipsa et omnes qui predictum manerium de Drake-
LOWE et Lullyngton' tenuerunt a tempore quo non extat memoria
habuerunt infangethef in eisdem maneriis sine interrupcione etc.
Set dicunt quod nunquam habuerunt wayf nee extrauras in predicto
manerlo de Drakelowe Ideo predicte libertates visus franciplegii
et infangethef capiantur in manum domini Regis etc. Postca
Nicholaus de Greselye et Thomas de Lullynton' fecerunt finem
cum domino Rege de viginti solidis pro predictis libertatibus visus
franciplegii et infangethef predicte Johanne rehabende Ideo eadem
Johanna rehabeat Hbertates illas utendas modis quibus decet etc.
Et erigat furcas si etc. Et quoad Hbertates illas et libertatem
warenne habendas inmanerio suode Lullynton' predicta Johanna
ad presens sine die salvo jure Regis etc. Et quo ad wayf et
extrauras in manerio suo de Drakelowe habendas eadem Johanna
in misericordia pro falso clameo etc. Et quo ad warennam
habendam in manerio suo de Drakelowe ad judicium etc. Et
sciendum quod predictus finis admittitur virtute cujusdam brevis
domini Regis justiciariis hie missi de finibus in huiusmodi casu
recipiendis etc. Et quo ad warennam predictam habendam in
manerio suo de Drakelowe ad presens sine die salvo jure
Regis etc.
p. 156.
summonitus.
Inquiry about
riKbts in
Gresley.
(2)
Galfridus de Greseleye summonitus fuit ad respondendum domino
Regi de placito quo waranto clamat habere in manerio suo de
Greseleye liberam warennam in terris suis dominicis infangenthef
et furcas etc.
Et Galfridus per Thomam de Lull' attornatum suum venit et quo-
ad hoc quod ipse summonitus est etc. quo waranto clamat habere
liberam warennam in manerio suo predicto Dicit quod dominus
Edwardus quondam Rex Anglie pater domini Regis nunc ad
instanciam dilecti et fidelis sui Hugonis Le Despenser junioris
concessit et carta sua confirmavit dilecto et fideli suo Petro de
Greseleye patri predicti Galfridi cujus heres ipse est quod ipse et
hcredes sui imperpetuum habeant liberam warennam in omnibus
dominicis terris suis in Greseleye in comitatu Derbiensi dum
Manors and Possessions of the Family 193
tamen terre ille non sint infra metas foreste Regis Ita quod nullus App. B.
intret terras illas ad fugandum in eis vel ad aliquid capiendum
quod ad warennam pertineat sine licencia et voluntate ipsius Petri
vel heredum suorum super forisfacturam Regi decern librarum Et
profert cartam ipsius Edvvardi Regis etc. que libertatem predictam
testator in forma predicta Cujus data est apud Stamford quinto
die Augusti anno regni sui tercio Et eo waranto clamat ipse liber- 1309
tatem predictam etc.
Et Willelmus de Denum qui sequitur pro Rege dicit quod ipse
non habet furcas que ad hujusmodi libertatem de infangenthef
requiruntur et hoc petit quod inquiratur pro Rege etc. Ideo
inquiratur.
Et juratores dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predictus Rights cstab-
Galfridus habet warennam predictam in predicto manerio de -vvarren"
Greseleye Et dicunt quod magna pars dominicarum terrarum
dicti manerii est in manibus diversorum tenentium ad terminum
vite etc. ex dimissione predicti Galfridi et tamen idem Galfridus
usus est warenna ilia tam in terris illis quam in terris dominicis
suis propriis hucusque Et dicunt quod ipse et omnes antecessores
sui a tempore predicto hucusque habuerunt sine interrupcione pre-
dictam libertatem de infangenthef et furcas tanquam dicto manerio
pertinentes et libertate ilia bene usi sunt hucusque excepto tantum
quod non furcas ad presens set quod furce quas habuit ante
sumptionem itineris deciderunt etc. et nondum eriguntur etc. Ideo
predicta libertas de infangenthef capiatur in manum domini Regis
etc. eo quod non habet judicialia scilicet furcas etc. Postea Nicholaus
de Greseleye et Thomas de Lullynton' de eodem comitatu fecerunt
finem cum domino Rege de dimidia marca pro predicta libertate
predicto Galfrido rehabendo Ideo predictus Galfridus rehabeat
libertatem illam et erigat furcas utendas ea modo quo decet Ideo infangethef
predictus Galfridus quoad libertatem istam et omnes alias liber- ^^'^ gaJlows.
tates superius clamatas ad presens inde sine die salvo jure Regis
etc. Et sciendum quod iste finis admittitur virtute cujusdam brevis
domini Regis Justiciariis missi de finibus in hujusmodi casu
recipiendis etc.
(3)
Galfridus de Greseleye summonitus fuit ad respondendum domino p. 156.
Regi de placito quo waranto clamat habere liberam warennam in Inquiry about
LyNTOn' etc. w!rren°[n
Et Galfridus per attornatum suum venit et dicit quod ipse clamat Linton,
warennam predictam in omnibus dominicis terris suis in Lynton'
Dicit quod dominus Edwardus quondam Rex Anglie pater domini
o
194
TJic Gresleys of Drakelowe
Regis nunc ad instanciam dilecti et fidelis sui Hugonis le Despenser
junioris concessit et carta sua confirmavit dilecto et fideli suo Petro
de Greseley patri predict! Galfridi cujus heres ipse est quod ipse
et heredes sui imperpetuum habeant liberam warennam in omnibus
dominicis terris suis in Lynton' in comitatu isto dum tamen terra
ille sunt infra metas foreste Regis Ita quod nulius intret terras
illas ad fugandum in eis vel ad aliquid capiendum quod ad warennam
pertineat sine licencia et voluntate ipsius Petri vel heredum suorum
super forisfacturam Regi decern librarum Et profert cartam ipsius
Edwardi patris etc. que libertatem predictam testatur in forma
predicta Cujus data est apud Stamford quinto die Augusti anno
regni sui tercio Et eo vvaranto clamat ipse predictam waren-
nam etc.
Et Willelmus de Denum qui sequitur pro Rege dicit quod abusus
est warenna ilia Et hoc petit quod inquiratur pro Rege Ideo
inquiratur etc.
Et xii juratores dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predictus
Galfridus non est usus aliqua warenna in dominicis terris suis
in Lynton' sicut superius clamat Ideo predictus Galfridus in
misericordia pro falso clameo etc.
(4)
p. 707. Placita Domini Regis coram J. de Berewyk' et Sociis suis
134? Justiciariis itinerantibus in comitatu Staffordiensi in termino
Sancti Hillarii anno regni Regis Edwardi vicesimo primo.
Nicholaus de Aldithele summonitus fuit ad respondendum domino
Regi de placito quo waranto clamat tenere placita corone et habere
liberam warennam furcas feriam mercatum et wayf in Evedon,
TuNSTALL, Aldythele, Horton, Chesterton, Bottelegh', et
Alstanfeld etc.
Rights in
Tunstal
establishe
Et Nicholaus quoad predictum manerium de Tonstall dicit
quod ipse clamat in eodem visum franci plegii et ea que ad hujus-
modi visum pertinent emendas assise panis et cervisie fracte et
wayf Et dicit quod ipse et antecessores sui a tempore quo quidam
Eugenulphus de Greseley et Edelina uxor eius cujus jus manerium
illud fuit antea manerium illud dederunt cuidam Ade de Aldythele
antecessor! ipsius Nicholai et predict! Eugerwlphus et Edelina et
antecessores ipsius Edeline ante tempus predicte donacionis a
tempore quo non extat memoria habuerunt predictas iibertates in
Manors and Possessions of the Family 195
predicto manerio et eis usi sunt Et de hoc ponit se super patriam
Et Hugo de Louther preterquam de wayf similiter Ideo fiat inde
jurata.
Juratores dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predictus
Nicholaus et antecessores sui tenentes manerium predictum semper
post tempus predicte donacionis et predicti Egnulphus et Edelina
ante temporibus suis et antecessorum ipsius Edeline semper a tem-
pore quo non extat memoria habuerunt predictas libertates in
predicto manerio sicut predictum est Ideo predictus Nicholaus inde
sine die salvo jure Regis. (Rot. 32.)
An Alphabetical List of Gresley Properties, with their
occurrence in successive generations of the family, up
TO THE TIME OF THE FIRST BaRONET (aboUt A. D. 1600).
i, ii, iii, &c. refer to the generations of the head of the family and correspond
with the similar numbers at the top of the right-hand pages of the text of this
book. XV is distinguished as xvo if referring to Sir William, and xvA if to
Sir George. See also the general Index for other mentions.
Abbot's Bromley.
(Staff. : 10 m. WN W. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xi and xvi.
(Staff.: 12 m. W. by N. of Drakelowe.) The Gresleys held property
there in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (xvi and xvii).
Appleby.
(Leic. : 8 m. SE. by S. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in ix.
Arnesby (Erendesby).
(Lcic. : 8 m. SSE. of Leicester.) The holding of Nigel de Stafford
in this parish has been noticed at p. 19. There is no trace of it in the
hands of the Gresleys.
Ashby Parva (Parva Essebi).
(Leic.?: 10 m. S. by W. of Leicester.) In the Testa de Nevill
William de Leyre is recorded as holding half a knight's fee in this place
from William de Gresley (v), and he from the Earl of Ferrers. It seems
to recur in xi, xw a, and xvii.
[96 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Barton under Needwood.
(Staff. : 3J m. WSW. of Drakelowe.) This occurs in xiv and xvi
Baston.
(Lincolnshire.) Occurs in xv«, xv6.
(Leic: 12 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) This was probably in 1086 part of
Twycross. It occurs in v, vi, xi, xvrz, xvii.
Blithbury.
(Staff. : 10 m. W. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi and xvii.
Blithford.
(Staff. : ID m. W. by N. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi.
Bloxwich.
(Staff.: 2 m. N. of Walsall.) Occurs in xvi.
Braceborough.
(Lincolnshire.) Occurs in ix, xi, xvrt-xvi.
Bradley in the Moors (Bretlcy).
(Staff : near Cheadle.) In 1086 'Nigel' held Bretlei of Ralph fitz-
Hubert : it occurs also in iii.
Bramshall (Bromshulf ).
(Staff. : 12 m. NW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi.
Branstone.
(Staff.: i| m. NW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi.
Bretley. See Bradley in the Moors.
Bromley, Abbot's. Sec Abbot's Bromley.
Bromley Bagot.
(Staff. : III ni. WNW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in vi.
Bromshulf. See Bramshall.
Burton on Trent.
(Staff. : 2 m. N. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xi, xiii, xvff, xvi.
Manors and Possessions of the Family 197
Caldway,
(Staffordshire ?) Occurs in xvi.
Calowhill.
(Staff. : 12I m. WNW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi.
Carlby.
(Lincolnshire.) Occurs in xva, xvA.
Catton in Croxall. (Chetun.)
(Derb. : 3! m. SSW. of Drakelowe.) This is probably the place
represented by ' Chetun ' in the Domesday Survey : and if so it was
a manor held by ' Nigel' in 1086 under Henry de Ferrers. The lordship
passed with Ainicia de Ferrers to Nigel de Albini : and the Gresleys
lost all hold of it.
Cauldwell,
(Derb. : 2| m. SSE. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in vii, ix, xi, xv A-xviii.
Clayton.
(Staff.: 29 m. WNW. of Drakelowe.) 'Nigel' held this manor in
1086 under Ricardus Forestarius, but the Gresleys soon lost it.
Clifton.
Occurs in vii, but has not been certainly identified.
Colton.
(Staff. : 12 m. W. of Drakelowe.) Large estates in Colton came to the
Gresleys from the De Wasteneys, see p. 49 : it occurs in ix, xi-xviii,
Newland being a part of it.
Colveley.
Occurs in vi, but has not been certainly iilentified.
Colwich.
(Staff. : 14 m. W. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi-xvii. See Haywood,
and Morton in Colwich.
Ccssingtcn.
(Lcic. : near Mount Sorrel.) Occurs in iv.
Coton.
There are five Colons in Staffordshire and at least one in each of
Leicestershire and Derbyshire. The one in which tlie Gresleys held
land in vii, xiii, xvi-xviii is perhaps Coton in the Elms, three miles
S. of Drakelowe.
igS The Gresleys of Drakeloive
App_B. Coventry.
(Warwickshire.) Occurs in xi.
Croxall.
(Derb. : 4^ m. SW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in vi and xvii.
Darlaston.
(Staff. : 24 m. NW. by W. of Drakelowe.) This manor, held at the
time of the Domesday Survey by the Abbey of St. Mary at Burton,
soon came into the hands of Orm le Gulden, and with his grand-
daughter Alina to Engenulph de Gresley : but some land there was
granted by the Abbot of Burton to Robert de Gresley (ii), which however
is not mentioned in deeds after his time.
Dcnisthorp (Durandesthorp).
(Derby, and Leic. : 6 m. SE. of Drakelowe, chiefly in a detached piece
of Derbyshire.) A manor held by Nigel de Stafford in 1086, and
retained by the Gresleys. It occurs in vi, vii, xv-xvii.
Drakelowe.
(Derb. : 2 m. S. of Burton on Trent.) This is mentioned first among
the manors held by Nigel de Stafford at the time of the Domesday
Survey (1086), and is still the seat of his lineal descendant in an unbroken
male line, Sir Robert Gresley. In about 1093 it was depopulated by an
* See p. 23. epidemic disease '* and the village of Gresley received what was left of
its inhabitants. For a century after this catastrophe there is no mention
of Drakelowe, except a note of the ford there over the Trent in an early
* Salt Soc. V. Burton charter'' and mentions in Pipe Rolls of 1170-89. In 1185
*• 47- annexed to the town and church of Stapenhill granted to Burton
' ^^^:. ^^'■''- abbey were the chapels and tithes of Drakelowe ", Heathcote, &c. Then
"^f *'sh"' '''^' '" ^^°^ ^'^ ^"^ '' ^^ ^^'^ ^^ William de Gresley under the Earl of
Staffordshire Ferrers and Derby, and it has been in the tenure of the family ever
i. 3. since. The statement on p. 191 that Johanna de Gresley received the
manor of Drakelowe from Walter de Brinkburn (' Bynkeburn ') must
seemingly refer to some formal transfer, as from a trustee, since her
husband and father-in-law had held it. It occurs in deeds of iii, iv,
vi-ix, xi, xiv-xviii. See chapter viii.
There are other Drakelowes :— (i) in Cheshire, a manor in the Lord-
ship of Rudheath, anciently in the possession of the Pages of Eardshaw,
later held by the Delves, Prescots and Shakerleys : (2) in Nottingham-
shire, three miles SE. of Bawtry on a Roman road, near which occurs
also the name of Drakeholes.
Drointon (Dregetone).
(Staff. : 14 m. WNW. of Drakelowe.) This manor was held by Nigel
in 1086 from the Bishop of Chester : but does not appear in the hands
of the Gresleys.
Edingale.
(Staff. : 5 m. S. by W. of Drakelowe.) This manor came into the
possession of Sir Robert Gresley, Knight, of Edingale, son of Sir Peter
Manors and Possessions of the Family igg
(vii), in about the middle of the fourteenth century : but the main line of
the Greslej's held land there in xv6-xvii.
Eggintcn.
(Derb. : 5} m. NNE. of Drakelovve.) Occurs in vii.
Ercall Magna.
(Shropshire.) Occurs in vi.
Erendesby. S« Arnesby.
Essebi. See Ashby Parva.
Foremark.
(Derb.: 7 m. NE. of Drakelowe.) A manor of Nigel de Stafford
in 1086. This was soon lost by the Gresleys, and was granted by the
Ferrers to the Vcrduns. The Burdets however by intermarriage (see
p. o) renewed the Gresley interest in the village.
Gresley (Church and Castle).
(Derb.: 3-4 m. WSW. and SW. of Drakelowe.) See Appendix A.
From the Domesday Survey and a deed of the first Gresley we know
that Nigel de Stafford held land here (in Heathcote): it occurs also in
i, iv, vi-ix, xi, xii, xiv-xviii.
Handford (Hcncford).
(Staff. : 22 m. WWW. of Drakelowe.) Held in 1086 by ' Nigel' from
Ricardus Forcstarius, but lost by the Gresleys.
Haywood, Little.
(Staff. : 14^ m. W. of Drakelowe.) This is close to Colwich, and
occurs in xvi.
Heathcote.
(Derb. : 3 m. ESE. of Drakelowe, in the parish of Church Gresley.)
This place, wliich formed part of the manor of Drakelowe in 1086,
cannot be identified with any place except the one now represented
by a farm-house called Heathcote House, which exhibits traces of
old building and lies on the high-road between Castle Gresley and
Swadlincote about a mile from the former. This was probably the
piece of land in Gresley which Nigel de Stafford held, see above. It
occurs in deeds of vi, vii, ix.
Heather.
(Leic. : 11 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in ii.
Hixon (Hustedone, Huxedon).
(Staff.: 15 m. W. by N. of Drakelowe.) ' Nigel' held tiiis manor of
Picot in 1086, and Picot of the Bishop of Chester. This was retained
by the Gresleys and appears in iii, iv, vi-viii, xvrt, xvi-xvii.
The Gresleys of Drakeloim
Hurst.
Occurs in vii, but has not been certainly identified.
Ingleby.
(Derb. : 8 in. NE. of Drakelowe, on tlie Trent.) A soke of Nigel de
Stafford in 1086. This was very early lost by the Gresleys, and does
not recur in connexion with them.
Kingsley (Chingesleia).
(Staff. : 23 m. N W. of Drakelowe.) ' Nigel ' held four hides there, three
of Robert de Buci, who held them of Ralph fitz-Hubert, and one in capite.
The Gresleys appear to have lost these, but Robert de Gresley (ii)
certainly had two bovates there, which he parted with by exchange to
his brother Engenulph. See p. 25.
Kingston.
(Staff. : 12J m. NW. of Drakelowe.) This occurs in iii, v-ix, xiii, -xv-xvii.
Knighton.
(Staff. : probably near Eccleshall.) Occurs in viii.
Knypersley.
(Staff. : near Biddulph, about 32 m. NW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in
xi and perliaps xv6; property there came to the Gresleys in the
eighteenth century.
Lambtcn (Lamberton).
Occurs in xi, xv a, xvii, but has not been certainly identified.
Leeshill.
(Staff. : 13! m. NW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi-xvii : the same as
Loxhill ?
Linton.
(Derb. : 3 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) ' Nigel ' held one carucate of Henry
de Ferrers in Linton, in 1086: and this appears, though recorded under
Leicestershire, to be the Derbyshire Linton, and to have long continued,
with augmentation, in the Gresley family, for it occurs in i, hi, v-ix, xi,
XV a-xviii.
Loxhill. See Leeshill.
Loxley.
(Staff. : 14 m. N W. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xvi and xvii.
LuUington.
(Derb. : 4^ m. S. by E. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in ii-ix, xi, xii,
Manors and Possessions of the Family 201
Mavesyn Ridware.
(Staff. : 10 m. WSW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xi and xvi.
Morton in Colwich.
(Staff. : 14 m. W. by N. of Drakelowe.) A manor held in 1086 by
'Nigel' from the Bishop of Chester. It is doubtful whether this was
ever out of the possession of the Gresleys till it was sold in the
seventeenth century. It occurs in ii, iv, vi-ix, xi, xiv-xviii.
Morten in Gnosall.
(Staff. : 27 m. W. of Drakelowe.) ' Nigel ' held one hide there, but this
was lost by the Gresleys.
Newington.
(Kent.) Occurs in xvii.
Newland. Sec Colton.
North wich.
(Cheshire.) Occurs in xii.
Norton near Twycross.
(Leic. : 9 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) This appears to be the church which
Nigel de Stafford granted to St. Alban's, see p. 19. In 1086 it was
probably included in Twycross. It occurs in iv, v, vii, ix-xi, xvd-xvii.
Oakthorp.
(Derb. : 7 m. SE. of Drakelowe, in a detached piece of the county.)
A manor held by Nigel de Stafford in 1086 : retained by the Gresleys.
It occurs in vi, xi, xva, xvA, xvi.
Osgathorp.
(Leic. : 12 m. E. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in ix, x, xv a, xv b.
Ravenston.
(Leic. : 11 m. ESE. of Drakelowe.) A manor held by Nigel de Stafford
in 1086 : retained by the Gresleys at first, but given to Ralph son of
William fitz-Nigel de Gresley, who gave part of it to the Hospital of
St. John of Jerusalem at Clerkenwell.
Repton.
(Derb. : 5J m. NE. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xiii and xvii.
Ridware, Mavesyn. Sec Mavesyn Ridware.
Rosliston.
(Derb. : 2} m. S. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in vii, xiii, xvi-xviii.
Afp. B.
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Rugeley,
(Staff. : 12 m. W. by S. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in ix.
Scopston. See Svvepstone.
Scotsley.
(Staff. : unidentified.) Held by ' Nigel ' in 1086 from the Bishop of
Chester: but Eyton thinlcs that the name has disappeared and cannot be
identified, though it was probably near Colwich. It is conceivably an
error for Loxley.
Seatcn.
(Yorksh. : near Hornsea.) Occurs in i.x, xi, xiv-xv b.
Seile (Over Seile and Nether Seilc).
(Leic. : 4^ m. SE. and 5 m. SSE. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in vi, xi, xvi-
xviii.
Smisby.
(Derb. : 7 m. E. by S. of Drakelowe.) A manor held by Nigel de
Stafford in 1086, but soon after parted with by the Gresleys.
Snareston.
(Leic. : 9 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xiii and xva.
Spaldirgmore.
(Yorksh.: near Howden.) Occurs in ix, xi, xiv-xv 6.
Stapenhill.
(Derb. : 1?; m. NE. of Drakelowe.) This was a double manor, partly
held by Nigel de Stafford in 1086, and partly by the Abbot of Burton.
The Gresleys appear to have lost their interest in it soon after tliat
date : but there are evidences that xi, xiv, xv b, xvi, and xvii had land
there.
Swadlincote.
(Derb. : 4 m. E. of Drakelowe.) A manor belonging to Nigel de
Stafford in 1086, retained and held in demesne by the Gresleys
throughout. Part was granted in exchange by Robert de Gresley to
his brother Engcnulph. It occurs in deeds of ii, iii, vi, vii, ix, xi, xv a,
xvii. It is now a village of coal miners.
Swannington.
(Leic. : iii m. E. by S. of Drakelowe.) In the Testa de Nevill it is
recorded that William le Bretun held land there from William de Gresley
(v), and he of the Earl of Derby. This small property does not seem to
be elsewhere mentioned.
Manors and Possessions of the Family 203
Swepstcne (Scopston).
(Leic. : lo m. SE. by E. of Drakelowe.) In 1086 'Nigel' held ten
carucates here : but no part of the land appears to have descended to
the Gresleys.
Tamhorn.
(Staff. : 9^ m. SSW. of Drakelowe.) This was a member belonging to
the manor of Lichfield, and held in 1086 by ' Nigel ' from the Bishop of
Chester. It occurs in ii and vi.
Thirlby.
(Lincolnshire.) Occurs in xv 6.
Thorp Constantine (Torp).
(Staff.: 3^ m. SSW. of Drakelowe.) A manor held in capite by
'Nigel' in 1086. The Gresleys lost this manor, and it passed to the
family of Constantine.
Thursfield (Turvoldesfeld).
(Staff. : 32 m. NW. of Drakelowe.) This manor was held of Ricardus
Forestarius by ' Nigel,' and perhaps came to Engenulph de Grcslcy, for
Henry iii confirmed it to Henry de Verdun son-in-law of Engenulph,
and it passed away from the Gresleys.
Ticknall.
(Dcrb. : 7^ m. ENE. of Drakelowe.) A soke held by Nigel de Stafford
in 1086, but soon parted with by the Gresleys, and shared between the
Earls of Ferrers and the Abbot of Burton.
Toft.
(Norf. : either Toft Trees or West Toft.) Occurs in vii.
Trangesby.
(Derb. : unidentified.) A manor held by Nigel de Stafford in 1086, but
the name seems to have wholly died out, and the place cannot now be
identified.
Tutbury.
(Staff. : 5^ m. NNW. of Drakelowe.) This was the chief seat of the
Ferrers in early times. The Gresleys held property there in iii, xi,
xvrt-xvii, and if Tutbury Woodhouse be the same land, in v also.
Twy cross.
(Leic: 11 m. SE. of Drakelowe.) 'Nigel' held six carucates in
Twycross in 1086, from Henry de Ferrers. Probably these are
represented in alter times by Norton juxta Twycross, and Bilstonc,
which see.
204 The Gresleys of Drakclozvc
Uftcn in South Winfield (Uffenton),
(Derb. : 22 m. NNE. of Drakelowe.) This manor was held by ' Nigel '
of Ralph fitz-Hubert: but the elder line at least of the Gresleys retained
none of the lands so held.
Ulselei. See Wolseley.
Walton on Trent.
(Staff. : 2 m. SW. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xi, xvA-xvii.
Wetley.
(Staff. : near Cheadle.) Occurs in iii.
Whitmore (Witemore).
(Staff. : 32 m. WNW. of Drakelowe.) In 1086 'Nigel ' held Whitmore
under Ricardus Forestarius (Richard Chenvin, chief Forester of
Cannock), but the Gresleys soon lost this.
Windesers. Sec Winshill.
Winshill (Windesers ?).
(Derb. : 3 m. NNE. of Drakelowe.) Nigel in 1086 held six carucates
from Henry de Ferrers in Windesers, which is recorded under Leicester-
shire, but is probably Winshill in Derbyshire : see Linton. Winshill is
recorded as part of the Gresley property in the time of the first Gresley
(William, i), but not afterwards.
Wolseley (Ulselei),
(Staff. : i3i m. W. of Drakelowe.) This manor was held in 1086 by
' Nigel ' from the Bishop of Chester : and was retained by the Gresleys,
occurring in ii, vi, ix, xvii.
Wclverhampton.
(Staffordshire.) Occurs in viii.
Woodhouse. See Tutbury.
Ws^veley.
Occurs in vii, but has not been certainly identified.
Yoxall.
(Staff. : 6 m. W. by S. of Drakelowe.) Occurs in xi and xiv.
APPENDIX C
THE GRESLEY ARMS, SEALS, CREST, AND MOTTO.
Arms and Seals.
The Gresley arms are Fm'rc criuiiie and gules, and there can be
little doubt that they are derived from the arms of the Ferrers
family, which were Vaire or and gules. It was not uncommon
in the thirteenth century for tenants to adopt on some fitting
occasion the arms of their feudal lords, but with a slight difference
for distinction's sake, such as a change of tincture or an added
bordure. A curious example of arms passing with differences
through the families of Luttrell, Furnival, Eccleshall and Clarell
may be seen in Hunter's South Yorkshire (1831) ii. 52.
Armorial bearings may be said to have come into ordinary use
in the last quarter of the twelfth century, and we may surmise
that, some years after the Ferrers exempted William de Gresley
from all but a nominal service in respect of Drakelowe in about
A. D. 1200, the latter assumed by permission the Ferrers arms
with a change of tincture.
The actual evidence about the arms is as follows : — the earliest
Gresley seal, as has been noticed at p. 28, is one of Ralph de
Gresley, uncle of the William just mentioned, of which a facsimile
is given by Jeayes on the plate opposite p. 25 of the Gresley
Charters, bearing the number 4. On this there is no trace of
armorial bearings. The second seal is one of William himself, stated
to be ' early thirteenth century,' also without arms (see p. 32). But
on the seal of his son Geoffrey, of about 1240 at latest, occur
the arms Vaire ermine and gules, which is their first occurrence : 0 pianche :
and this date is also that of the first recorded instance of the Joum. of
Ferrers arms ■''. A facsimile of a poor impression of the seal Assn. viJ
is given by Jeayes (plate opposite p. 83, no. 40 A). So too the (1852). 22c
2o6 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
App. C. seal of Geoffrey's son William, about 1240-50, is almost identical
with his father's (Brit. Mus. Add. Ch. 21491; Birch, Brit. Mus.
Seals 10243), although during his father's lifetime he only bore
a fleur-de-lys on his seal (Jeayes, as above, no. 40 B). These
evidences sufficiently establish the coat in the first half of the
thirteenth century.
The testimony may be carried on by means of seals and written
records. Sir Geoffrey de Gresley, who died in 1305 or 1306,
bore the same arms on his seal (Jeayes, as above, no. 103): and
the two Rolls of Arms of about 1295, printed in the Archaologia
xxxix. 412, 433, testify that Sir Geoffrey bore ' Vairy ermine and
gules 'or 'gules and ermine.' And in 1315 the Parliament Roll,
printed from Brit. Mus. MS. Cotton Calig. A. 18 in Parliamentary
Writs (Record Office Publication) i. 411, states that 'Sire Peres de
Gresle' bore 'verree de goules e de ermyne.' After this the
witness of rolls of arms becomes so frequent and uniform that
it need not be quoted.
After the De Wasteneys connexion in the second half of the
fourteenth century, the arms of the head of the family became : —
" Staff. Visitn. Quarterly'' ist and 4th Vaire ermine and gules, for Gresley:
'^ ^' 2nd and 3rd sable a lion rampant argent collared gules, for
IVastcueys. Shortly after the baronetcy was conferred, when
Colton had been sold in about 1609, the Wasteneys arms dropped
out, so that the original Gresley arms are still the authorized ones,
with the addition in the case of the head of the family of the badge
cLincVisitn. of Ulster.
of 1592, ad-
ditions, as pr. The variations have been slight and unimportant. Occasionally
the coat has been blazoned gules and ermine instead of ermine
and gules. The Lincolnshire Gresleys blazoned the ermine as
" Erit. Mus. ' argent guttee de poix <= ' which means the same.
MS. Cotton
Calig. C. 5,
lol. 59 :
printed In L-REST.
Glover's
DerbysJiiie \. The family crest is a Lion passant ermine, armed langed and
p! 6i. '^^^' collared gules. The earliest occurrence that I have noted is in
e S.-ilt Soc. iii. 1513) vvhere in a list of Captains'' engaging in the foreign
2. 85 ^with campaign of that year occurs ' Sir Will. Gresley bayreth assure
plate) :see ti . j j ij>i i.
also Brit. a Lyon sylver passant and gowrdes gold. In some later cases
Mus. MS. however the lion is statant and ermine, as in the Staffordshire
foL 14. ' Visitation of 1583'', where some MSS. even exhibit a lion's head
' In a paper couped argent, collared gules. In about a.d. 1700, Gregory
tuwe"'"^" ^'"2*^1 Lancaster Herald, criticizing the proposed monument of
the Genea-
logist, OS.
The Gresley Arms, Seals, Crest, and Motto 207
Sir William Gresley who died in 1699, writes 'As to the Crest
of Gresley, I find it in one book onely to be a lion passant argent,
the tail extended. But all the other books are' a lion statant
ermine collared gules: but the testimony of the military list of
1513 inclines the balance in favour of the lion passant, while
the tincture may be pronounced to be ermine.
Motto.
The motto is 'Meliore fide quam fortuna* ('With better fealty
than fortune'), but I have not noticed any occurrence of it earlier
than the eighteenth century.
APPENDIX D
THE GRELLYS, BARONS OF MANCHESTER, AND
OTHER FAMILIES OF SIMILAR NAME BUT UN-
CONNECTED WITH THE GRESLEYS
i. The Grellys, Barons of Manchester.
This family is commonly in some way interwoven with the early
Gresleys, with whom it has in reality no kind of connexion. In
general the original records keep the forms Grelly, Grailli, Greilli
or occasionally Gresle or Greslet for this branch, and only on
a very few occasions spell it as Gresley. A short account of the
Grell^'s is however necessary, to enable readers to distinguish
clearly between the two families.
The chief authorities for the Grellys are : — W. R. Whatton
in the Manchester Literary Society's Transactions, N. S., iv. (1824),
p. 473 sqq., Dugdale's Baronage, i. 608, Baine's Lancashire, ed
Croston, ii (1889) 27-9, Blore's Rutland 99, Harland's Man-
f/«'5A';- (Chetham Soc. liii, Ivi). Collectanea Topographica, vii. 17-18,
S. Hibbert's History of the Foundations in Manchester, vol.2 (1834)
p. 217 : to which the reader is referred for a fuller account.
The arms of the family were, Gules three bendlets enhanced or.
The first of the name who occurs in records is Albert de Grelly
who is found in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as owning land
»Cheth.Soc. in Lancashire, and occurs also in 1094. Two sons of him are
X. 50, cf. 40. recorded, Robert and Alan \
fafwhethe'?'' Robert (first Baron Grelle and Lord of Manchester'?) is not
Robert or his infrequently confused with the Robert de Gresley of p. 29. He
fi°stBaronl3 ^^^ '''^^ founder of Swineshead Abbey in Lincolnshire in a.d.
Tenure and II34, and appears to have had, by his wife Beatrix, a younger
Lord of Man- ^^ Bernard « as well as Albert.
Chester. . .
c Yt_o\\s, ser Robert's son Albert, second Baron Grelly, generally distm-
Ixxix. 258. guished from his son as 'senex,' married Agnes daughter of
The Grellys, &c. 209
William Fitz-Nigel, Baron of Halton in Cheshire. In the Life of App^d.
St. IVaiiam of Norwich by Thomas of Monmouth (published in
1896) there is a chapter ' De Niso Albert! Gressle mire curato,'
in which Albert is described ^ as having cured the sickness of * p. 258.
his favourite falcon in a.d. 1154 by praying to St. William, and
as having gone with his father, to fulfil his vow of an annual
offering, to Norwich, where the author of the Life spoke with them
both. Albert must have died before 11 74, when his heir Albert
was in the King's custody and 11 years old. Of his three
daughters, Emma married Orme the son of Ailward, and Amabel
was the wife of Geoffrey Trezgoz. It is possible that the third
daughter was the Barbara who occurs in an inexplicable pedigree
of the Quadrings, to be found in E. Oldfield's Wainflcet (Lond.
1829), p. 217, and in Visitations of Lincolnshire in the Genealogist,
Old Series, iv. 269, vi. 277. This Barbara or Berseba is the
daughter of 'Sir Robert Grisley Knight,' and seems to be of
about the date 1230-50 : she is recorded to have married Hamon
son of Geoffrey Quadring, and had a son James. If this Barbara
be a Gresley and not a Grelly, I cannot place her in any known
pedigree. On the other hand some authorities give the name
of Albert's third daughter as Edith, and state that she married
Gilbert de Nocton.
Albert the third Baron (' Juvenis ') was born about 1 162 or 11 63,
and married Isabel Basset, but died before 1183, leaving a son,
Robert, fourth Baron, born about 1180, who married Margery
(or Alicia) de Longchamp, and was a prominent member of the
Barons' party in 1214-5 at Stamford «, occurring also as a witness ° Matth. Paris
to the confirmation of Magna Charta by Henry III, on Feb. 11, (r.'^s? ivii?ii.
1224. He died in about 1230, and was succeeded by his son, 585 \ Roger
Thomas (fifth Baron), who was also a person of mark, and in (r_ s_ xxxiv)
1258-9 was made Warden of the King's Forests south of the Trent. "-114. cf. 170-
His wife was Christiana Ledet, and he seems to have died in
1261, leaving three sons, Peter a Clerk in Holy Orders, Herbert
who died without issue, and (the eldest) Robert, which last died
in his father's lifetime, leaving a son, Cecily wL^
Robert (sixth Baron), grandson and heir of Thomas. He s'^ter of joim
was born in about 1252 and in 1279-80 married Hawyse daughter of^Scotland^
of John de Burgh ^*, but at his death in 1283 left only a son and 1292-1314.
daughter. The former was Thomas, seventh Baron, born about of joh^n Balbi
1278, who died unmarried in 1347. He was summoned by writ andDervorgu-
as a Baron to the Parliaments of 1308 and 131 1, and it was he ^D^,rham\v^^
who granted to the (then) little town of Manchester its great 60).
t P
The Gresleys of Drakelotve
App. D. charter of 1301, under which the town was governed for several
centuries. When he died the male line and name of Grelly died
out, and the estates went to his sister and heir Joan, who married
John Delawarr, Lord Delawarr. There seems, however, to have
' Eodl. MS. been another sister, Isabella*, who married John Gise.
Dodsw. .XX. Among other Grellys of whom there are records are :— an
"'*' Albertus de Grele, who was summoned to Parliament in 1324 as
e Pari. Writs armigers in Leicestershire: a Pierre de Greilly, Vicomte de
ii. I. 640. Benauges in 1344'^: 2i Johannes de Greilli who was 'capitalis
MeisaTR-''!. Boiorum' (Captal de Buch) in 13651: Jehan de Grailly, Captal
xliii) iii. 53.' de Buch, one of the original Knights of the Garter: Archibaldus de
" Gall. Christ. Grelly 'capitanus de la Douche' (Captal de Buch) in 1377-8 J : and
Bltre'f Rut- Others, who chiefly bore the name of John, and were of a French
land 101. family in the thirteenth century. There is a printed ' Honourable
r "^h"' r' q ^'^'^ • • • of Sir John de Gralhy, Capitall de Buz,' by William Wyrley
ii.°r. 48a (Lond. 1592, 40), cf. Bodl. MS. Ashm. 1106, fol. 461.
ii. The Greasleys of Greasley, co. Notts.
The village of Greasley in Nottinghamshire, about 23 miles
NE. by N. of the Derbyshire Gresley, contained not only a Castle
but also a Priory called Beauvale : and references to a supposed
'Chartulary of Gresley' are in reality either to a British Museum
MS. acquired in 1814, or to a few excerpts in the College of
Arms MS. Vincent 31, pp. 173-6: and both refer to Beauvale
Priory, sometimes called Greasley.
Of the family which took its name from Greasley the following
is a short account, the chief authorities being Thoroton's Notting-
hamshire (1790) ii. 239-41, Dugdale's Monasticon (ed. Ellis) vi. 13,
and Lipscomb's Buckinghamshire i. 175-6: —
Ralph, in the time of William the Conqueror, had a son
Richard : and he had a son Hugh Fitz-Richard, whose son William
(occ. 1 140) first bore the name of Greasley. His wife's name is not
recorded, but his son was Ralph de Greasley who married Isabella
(or Agnes) an heiress of the family of Muscamp, and was lord
of Greasley and Selston as well as, in right of his wife, lord of
Muscamp in Nottinghamshire. He probably died in 1228. Their
daughter was undoubtedly Agnes, who married Hugh Fitz-Ralph
in about a.d. 1215, and from whom the husband assumed the
name of Greasley. There is some evidence that she had first
in about 1210 married Robertus Lupus. The children of Hugh
(who seems to have died in 1260) and Agnes were certainly Ralph
The Grellys, &c.
and perhaps Hugh. With Ralph's daughter Eustachia the male App- D.
line of de Greasley failed for the second time and final!}'.
Eustachia may have had a sister Idonea, but if so, the latter
died without issue, and Eustachia became sole heiress. She
married firstly William de Cantelupe and had a son William
born in about 1292. William's son Nicholas, Eustachia's grand-
son, succeeded to Greasley Castle in or before 1334, founded
Beauvale Priory in 1343, and died in 1355. Eustachia's second
husband (before 1290) was William de Ross of Ingmanthorp, and
she had issue by him also.
The following persons or families which have come to my notice
in searching records are probably not Gresleys but Greasleys : —
1396. William de Gressely ^ of Nottingham. ' Stevenson's
1605-13. There is a William ' Gresley ' of Oldcote in Nottinghamshire '. Records of
17th cent. We find Greislej's, Greseleys or Greasleys in Warwick ^882"^^ ^^12
(Thomas, Cicely, Edward), Rownall (Richard, Ralph), and London , '
(William, Mary, Kathcrine, Abigail, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, John, Ms^Add" "
Henry, Ellen, Joseph, Susannah, Hannah). At Codsall in Staffordshire 6668, foil. 90-
there was a William Greasley who in 1668 married Elizabeth (Knight), 92.
and was a benefactor to the poor of Codsall. He died in 1705 and left
a son and daughter William and Dorothy who died young, and another
daughter Elizabeth, who married Richard AUsop and had issue.
i8th cent. There was a family of Greasley " at Barrow on Soar and " Nichols,
Mount Sorrel in Leicestershire. A Thomas Greasley, who married Le.'<^
Elizabeth and died in 1717, had a son Thomas (who married Elizabeth
ttee Mason, and died in 1738, leaving an only daughter Lucretia [?] who
died in 1795) and two daughters, Mary who married Thomas Hall and
died in 1722, and Phcebe, who married George English and died in 1766,
leaving nine children. A Humphrey Greasley™ of Barrow on Soar
in 1630 was probably of this family; and a Thomas Greasley'", who
married Anne and died in 1765, leaving a daughter Sophia.
There was also a considerable family in the parish of All Saints" at « Parish
Derby, in which the following names occur : — John, Dorothy, Anne, Registers.
Henry, Mary, William, Ralph, Elizabeth, Esther, Catharine, Patience,
Thomas, Joseph, Arabella, Lydia, Charles, Francis, James, Hannah. „ Ashbourne
Also a John Greasley " of Broughton married Hannah Dordin at Ash- Register,
bourne in Derbyshire in 1736. In Lichfield a Mary Greasley p married p Cathedral
James Finch in the Cathedral on March 7, 1769. In 1794 a Gabriel Register.
Greasley 'I occurs at Leicester. q Weston's
1826-56. The Whitwick Registers show a family of Greasleys at Leicester
Thringstone in Leicestershire. The names are Thomas, Mary, Laurence, Directory,
James, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann and William. A George Greasley
just escaped from the fatal fire at Whitwick Colliery on April 19, 1898. Register
76,
91,92,99.
A William Greasley was married on Oct. 18, at Duffield"" in ,
Leicester
Derbyshire. Journal, Dec.
1856. A Francis Greasley" occurs at Kegworth in Leicestershire. la, 1856.
APPENDIX E
ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHORITIES OF WHICH USE
HAS BEEN MADE— THE GRESLEY CHARTULARY,
THE MUNIMENTS AT DRAKELOWE, THE PAPERS
OF THE REV. JOHN MOREWOOD GRESLEY, ETC.
A.
The Gresley Chartulary.
A FAMILY Chartulary is not a common thing. In the case of
Monasteries, almost every house which possessed any considerable
amount of property found it convenient to have a copy of its
charters enrolled in a single large volume, both for facility of
reference, and for safety : at the same time the original charters
were preserved with care as providing the testimony which would
be accepted in a court of law. However the chances of fire and
other accidents tended to destroy the originals, so that in very
many cases the Chartulary alone survives to form the primary
authority for the history of the property of the House. But it
was different with private families : the natural devolution of the
mansion and its contents from father to son, the private nature
of the proceedings, and even the methods by which property
was acquired and transmitted excited less jealousy in others, and
fewer questionings of right and claim, than when a religious house
accepted property from some benefactor who strove to e.xpiate
former sins by a testamentary bequest. There was therefore less
obvious need for a formal register and transcript of family
The Gresley Chartulary 213
charters, and hardly more than a score of them are known to exist App. E.
in England.
The Gresley Chartulary is contained in a small folio volume
lettered 'Visitation of Lancashire. Smith,' and numbered 6719,
on Shelf L. c. 2. 16, in the Chetham Library at Manchester. The
volume really includes (i) a copy by William Smith (Rouge
Dragon), made in about a.d. 1600, of Flower's Visitation of Lanca-
shire in 1567, (2) the Gresley Chartulary, (3) Trickings of Cheshire
Arms by William Smith. The Chartulary is quite distinct from
the rest, and is in a hand which has been identified by the Rev.
J. M. Gresley with that of British Museum MS. Harleian 6592,
which was written by William Wyrley, a friend of the Sir Thomas
Gresley who died in 1610. The handwriting is apparently of the
last quarter of the sixteenth century, and the whole chartulary
occupies 34 leaves or, as the references will be to pages, 68 pages,
of a poor kind of paper. About 331 deeds were copied or (more
usually) abstracted, ranging from the eleventh to the sixteenth
century, with some pedigrees and 128 sketches of seals and coats
of arms. The pedigree on p. 5 ends with the marriage of Thomas
Gresley and Katherine (Walsingham) which must have been in
about 1576, but entries on p. 3, apparently in W'yrley's hand,
cannot have been before a.d. 1600.
The Chartulary was not noticed, it would seem, from the time
of its composition until Dr. Samuel Pegge^ (who died in 1796) » shaw's
copied it. After him a Colonel Chadwicki- had it copied, and Staffordshire
the Chadwick copy was collated with the original by Samuel Pipe ^ Nichols'
Wolferstan, Esq. in i8or. Nichols also freely used the informa- Leicester-
tion contained in it in his great History of Leicestershire, 1795- p'gg,"'" ^'
1815. After that the book again dropped out of sight, so much
so that when the Rev. J. M. Gresley applied to see it in 1848
the Chetham Librarian could not find it. The visitor, however,
was able himself to afford a clue, and the right volume was
unearthed. In the following year it was very carefully copied
for him by Mr. Richard Sims of the British Museum. A detailed
account of the MS. with extracts was contributed by Mr. John
Harland to the Manchester Guardian of July 28, 1849, and the
same gentleman printed three articles on it, including pedigrees
and abstracts in English of a selection of the deeds, in the
Reliquary^ of 1865-6. In this the selected deeds are numbered
from I to 87, and the pedigrees from i to iv. Many of the deeds
do not directly concern the Gresleys, but relate to the history of
property acquired by them.
Vol. vi. pp
29, 79< 139-
214 TJie Greslcys of Drakelozve
App. E. The following is a table of the contents of the book, especially
of the charters which are either noticed in Harland's Selection (H.)
or can be identified with existing Drakelowe Muniments as cata-
logued by Jeayes (J.). Such as are only represented by numbers
(i), (2), Sic, are undated deeds or abstracts of deeds.
Chartulary.
PAGE
1. Scribbling.
2. Blank.
3. Notes.
4. Notes of arms.
5. Pedigrees (H. ped. i).
6. Pedigrees (H. ped. ii).
7. (I) H. p. 37, (2) H. ped. iii, (3) H. p. 36;/.
S. Pedigree (H. ped. iv).
9. (I), (2), (3) J. 37. (4) 1277, (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10).
10. Blank.
11. (I).
12. (I).
13. Pedigree.
14. Extract from Matthew Paris.
1.5. (i) H. I, (2) H. 2, (3) H. 3, J. 4, (4) H. 4=28.
16. (I) H. 5, J. 6, (2) H. 6, J. 7, (3) H. 7, J. 3 ?, (4).
17. (I) H. 8, (2) 1198, J. 29, (3) J. 64, (4) J- 18. (5) J- 57, (6), (7).
18. (I), (2), (3). (4) J. 62?, (5), (6), (7) H. 9, (8) H. 10=29, J. 103 ?.
19. (I) H. II, J. 147, (2) H. 12, J. 76, (3) cf. J. 52, (4) H. 13, J. 152?, (5),
(6) cf. J. 105.
20. (i),(2) H. 14, (3) 1265-6, H. 37- (4), (5) H. 16, (6) H. 17, (7) H. 17, (8),
(9) 1268, H. 38.
21. (I) H. 18, (2), (3) J. 49, (4), (5), (6) J. 10, (7).
22. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5) H. 19, (6) H. 20, J. 2, (7).
23. (I) J. 34, (2), (3), (4I, (5)-
24. (I) c. 1221, J. 43, (2) 1261, (3) 1307-8, (4) 1340, (5), (6), (7), (8), (9).
25. (I), (2), (3) 1345, J. 268. (4). (5), (6), (7), (8), (9j.
26. (I), (2) 1273 ?, J. 123, (3), (4), (5)- (6), (7). (8).
27. (I), (2), (3), (4) H. 21,(5) H. 22, (6).
28. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) H. 23, (10) H. 24.
29. (I) H. 25, (2) H. 26, J. 40, (3) H. 27, (4) H. 28=4.
80. (I) H. 29=10, (2) H. 30, (3) H. 31, (4) H. 32, (5) H. 33, (6) H. 34
=J- 36.
31. (I) 1297, H. 47, (2) 1291, H. 41, (3), (4) 1281, H. 40, (5) 1328, H. 55,
(6) 1324-5?, H. 54?.
32. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5) 1292-3, J. 141, (6) 1272, H. 39. J- loi, (7) H. 46,
(8) 1298, H. 48, (9) H. 42, (10), (II).
33. (I) 1292, H. 43. (2), (3), (4), (5) 1294. H. 45> (6), (7). (8), (9)-
34. (1) 1298, H. 49, (2) 1279, J. 126, (3) 1292, H. 44, (4), (5), (6j, (7), (8), (9).
35. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7).
36. (I), (2), (3), (4) 1324-5, H. 54. f5), (6).
37. (I), (2) H. 53, J. 185, (3), (4) 1309-10, H. 51, (6), (7), (8).
TJie Grcsley Chartidary 215
38. (I), (2) 1310-11, H. 52, (3), (4) 1262, H.36, (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (lo), (ii).
39. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (II).
40. (I), (2), (3), (4). (5), (6), (7), (8), (9).
41. (I) 1372, H. 61, J. 319, (2), (3) 1353, H. 59, {4), (5) 1340, H. 58, (6),
(7) 1357. H. 60.
42. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5) 1337, H. 57, J. 240, (6) 1352, J. 284, (7).
43. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) 1374, J. 327, (9), (10).
44. (I), (2), (3) 1382, H. 62, J. 344, (4) 1382, J. 345, (5), (6), (7), (8), (9).
45. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) 1330, H. 56.
46. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8).
47. (I) 1394-5, H. 64, J. 358, (2), (3), (4) 1386-7, H. 63, (5), (6) 1394-5,
H. 65, (7).
48. (I), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7).
49. Blank.
60. Blank.
61. (i) 1406-7, H. 67, (2) 1410, J. 388, (3) 1409-10, H. 68, J. 387, (4), (5)
1406, H. 66, (6).
52. (i), (2), (3), (4), (5) and pedigree of Oky.
53. (I) 1420, H. 71, J. 402^ (2) H. 69, J. 376, (3) 1418, J. 401, (4). (5),
(6) 1415-6, H. 70.
64. (i) 1436-7, H. 74, (2), (3) 1439, J. 417, (4), (5) 1455-6, H. 75, J. 437,
(6) 1438, H. 73.
55. Pedigree of Montgomery.
56. Blank.
67. (I) 1481, J. 449, (2), (3), (4) 1481, H. 78, (5) 1462, H. 76, (6) 1478,
H.77-
58. (I), (2), (3).
69. Blank.
60. (i), and pedigree.
61. (I) 1496-7, H. 80, (2) 1420, H. 72, J. 402", (3) 1496-7, H. 79.
62. (1) 1533-4, Ii- 85, (2) 1518-9, H. 83, (3) 1518-9, H. 84, (4) 1534-5,
H. 86, (5) 1510, H. 81, J. 463, (6) 1517-8, H. 82.
63. (I) 1555-6, H. 87, J. 481.
64. Blank.
65. (I), (2), (3) J. 72, (4) J. 48, (5) cf J. 67, (6), (7) J. 159, (8) J. 53, (9).
66. (1) J. 51, (2) 1316, J. 177?, (3), (4) J. 30-1, (5) 1305, H. 50, J. 165.',
(6)J. i59,(7),(8),(9Ji305,J-i65.
67. Blank.
68. (I) c. 1232, J. 46.
It appears, then, that of the 331 deeds abstracted or copied in
the Chartulary, 59 can be directly compared with the originals
still existing, a proportion large enough to establish the general
authenticity of those which cannot be so compared. The authen-
ticity of the Chartulary may in fact be regarded as above suspicion,
but it is clear that many early and important deeds still existing
entirely escaped the notice of the compiler of the volume.
2i6 The Grcsleys of Drakelowe
The Muniments at Drakelowe.
An admirable Descriptive Catalogue of the Charters and Muni-
ments of the Gresley Family in the possession of Sir Robert Greslcy,
Bart., at Drakelowe, has been lately compiled by Mr. Isaac Herbert
Jeayes, of the Department of MSS. at the British Museum, and
published in 1895. It is a Calendar of 502 deeds ranging from
about 1 150 to 1676, with a preface, facsimiles, and index, and
also a description of another family Chartulary at Drakelowe,
known as the Ridware Chartulary, which was written chiefly in
the first quarter of the fourteenth century, and bears curious
pen and ink drawings, one of which is reproduced by Mr. Jeayes
opposite p. 119. A complete abstract of this valuable MS. has
"I Stafford- been recently published by the William Salt Society'. About
shire Loi- thirty of the Gresley deeds belong to the twelfth century, and not
xli u 896' ° ' less than 100 to the thirteenth century. There are, however, at
ed. by the Drakelowe a large number of additional papers relating to family
Wrottesley. affairs of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries,
which were outside Mr. Jeayes' scope, and which include old
maps of properties, rent-books, leases and the like, with a con-
siderable number of private letters chiefly of the second half
of the eighteenth century or later.
With respect to Mr. Jeayes's book, the references in the text
of the present work show of what service it has been in the
investigation of the earlier records of the family. The following
notes will, it is hoped, add something to the usefulness of the
volume, and are not presented in any spirit of criticism :—
The facsimiles have no letterpress, so that it is worth while
to point out that the frontispiece is Charter no. i, and the facsimile
opposite p. 3 is no. 5. On plate 2, 370 is an error for 376.
It should be noticed that when a charter is dated by reference
to a feast (as, on the Monday after the feast of St. Luke) the date
supplied in square brackets by Mr. Jeayes is that of the feast,
not of the charter.
P. I. The Charters which are also to be found in the Gresley
Chartulary, which sometimes preserves sketches of the seals when
they were less injured than they are now, are 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 18,
29- 30. 3^ 34. 36, 37. 40. 43. 46. 48, 49. 51. 52?, 53- 57. 62?, 64,
67?, 72, 76, 99, loi, 103, 105?, 123, 126, 141, 147, 152?, 159, 165,
177?, 185, 240, ::68, 284, 319, 327, 344, 345, 358, 376, 387, 388,
Collections of Rev. John Morezvood Grcsley 217
401, 402*, 402°, 417, 437, 449, 463, 481. The Charters of which
the seals are facsimiled by Mr. Jeayes are nos. 2 (two), 3, 4, 24,
40, 50, 52 (two), 64, 74, 76 (two), 81, 83, 103, 129, 159, 174, 185,
304, 315, 319, 345, 376.
P. 14, no. 40. The ' Ecclesia beate Trinitatis de L[eicestre] '
should probably be, as Mr. Jeayes has suggested to me, 'Ecclesia
. . . de L[a Grace Dieu] ' near Belton. The deed would then be,
not, 'Temp. John,' but circa 1240.
P. 41, no. 165, '1304' should be 1305.
P. 80, no. 363. The charges were made by the Abbot against
Sir Thomas.
The index is not quite complete: e.g. William Burded (in
charter 40), Nicholas de Drenketh (ch. 3), Ralph fitz Ralph de
Montgomeri (ch. 3), Ralph fitz Ernald [ibid.), Robert fitz Ralph
(ibid.), Humphrey de Tolca (ibid), and perhaps a few more have
escaped it: 'p.' should precede 113 under Cardona, and 114
under Ingwardeby: and 482' may be added under Gresley
Priory.
The Collections of the Rev. John Morewood Gresley.
Mr. Gresley, who was a trained antiquary (see p. 122), seems
to have first turned his attention to the history of the Gresley
family in about 1845, and from at least 1847 till his death, in 1866,
was incessantly employed in amassing copies of Gresley deeds
of all kinds, usually making use of the skilled assistance of
Mr. Richard Sims. At the time of his death the mass of papers
he had accumulated was enormous, and represented a large
expenditure of his own time and money. He had even advanced
so far as to have almost finished a systematic series of genealogies
with notes, to which he prefixed the title 'Stemmata Gresleiana:
Genealogies of the Family of Gresley and their Connexions ;
From the time of Rollo first Duke of Normandy to the Reign
of Victoria of England,' and which still remain as a monument
of his perseverance and acumen. It is curious, however, that no
one of his family or friends seems to have had direct information
from Mr. Gresley of the great work he was so long and deeply
engaged on. No mention of it is made in the elaborate memoirs
of his life by Mr. Jewitt and others who knew him intimately,
App. E.
2i8 The Grcsleys of Drakelozve
and after his death the papers were stored at Lichfield in
Mr. Charles Gresley's house without exciting any inquiry or
investigation. About five years ago they were handed over to
the Rev. N. W. Gresley as the eldest son of their deceased
owner, and in his house at Dursley in Gloucestershire I first
saw them in Oct. 1894. The sight of them inspired me with
a desire to do what I could to ensure that my uncle's collections
should not have been amassed in vain, and that some memorial
should be raised both to his labours and also to the ancient
family to which he devoted so many years of his life.
The Gresley collections were in no order whatever when they
were temporarily deposited in my hands, but now that they
have been to some extent arranged under general classes they may
be very briefly characterized with reference to them. The
divisions are : —
A. 'Stemmata Gresleiana,' pedigrees with notes in a semi-
final form, a bound folio volume.
B. Various notes about (ij persons, (2) deeds, (3) manors and
possessions. A bound folio volume, unfinished.
C. Miscellaneous notes, especially consisting of or relating to
illustrations and facsimiles, such as were issued in the volumes
of the Anastatic Society: a bound folio volume.
All the divisions which follow, except u, are unbound papers.
d. Gresley pedigrees and general accounts of the family,
manuscript and printed.
e. A large collection of copies of (i) Wills, (2) Monumental
inscriptions, (3) Parish registers.
f. De Toeni papers.
g. A large collection of copies of papers relating to the Gresley
family before a.d. 1500, chiefly copies of MSS. (i) in the British
Museum, (2) in the Bodleian and College Libraries at Oxford,
(3) in the Public Record Office, (4) Lichfield Episcopal Registers.
h. Papers of the sixteenth century.
i. „ „ seventeenth century.
j. „ „ ,, „ (Sir George Gresley).
k. „ „ eighteenth century.
1. „ „ „ „ (Sir Nigel Gresley).
m. ,, „ ,, „ (Sir Nigel Bowyer Gresley).
n. „ „ nineteenth century.
o. ,, ,, „ „ (main line).
p. „ ,, „ „ (Nether Scile line).
q. „ „ „ „ (Sir Roger Gresley).
Manuscripts 219
r. Large collections, chiefly genealogical, relating to families
which intermarried with the Gresleys.
s. Papers relating to Gresley Priory, Castle, and Church, in-
cluding a minute diary of the excavations in 1861.
t. Papers relating to Religious Houses other than Gresley
Priory.
u. The Gresley Chartulary, including a careful verbatim copy
of it : a bound volume and unbound papers.
V. Papers relating to the Grellys and Greasleys.
D.
Manuscripts.
The MSS. of the British Museum, Bodleian and Oxford College
Libraries have been searched ; and the contents of the Public
Record Office as far as possible.
A 'History of our Ancestors' in folio, written by Mrs. Turner
of Broad Chalke, now owned by Miss Agnes Gresley of Barton.
Also a similar volume in quarto.
A small quarto book written by Francis Gresley in the early
part of the eighteenth century, now owned by Miss Amelia
Gresley, of Clevedon.
A Bible printed in 1638, preserved at Drakelowe, containing
contemporary family memoranda from 1649 to 1896.
Seven Gresley MSS. in the William Salt Library at Stafford.
Pedigrees and papers lent me by the late Rev. E. Elton, of
Sherington, Newport Pagnell.
A vellum roll of Gresley descents from Charlemagne and Alfred
the Great (!) through Edward I (by female lines), lent me by
R. Gresley Hall, Esq., of 60 Avenue Road, Regent's Park,
London.
Pegge's Derbyshire MSS. at the College of Arms, London.
An extended search has been made in the chief printed literature
relating to Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire, as well
as in general works, including periodicals, relating to British
genealogy, heraldry and antiquities. The Record publications,
Rolls Series, Harleian Society, Historical MSS. Commission,
and such series have been ransacked, and a multitude of smaller
historical and topographical books.
PEDIGREES
Note : — The following Pedigrees, after those of Toeni and
Gresley, are intended primarily to exhibit those members of
families which intermarried with the Gresleys, with whom the
Gresleys may naturally have come in contact. For this purpose
five generations in all, as a minimum, have been where possible
recorded, with the Gresley connexion in the third. Extensions of
this principle have been admitted where the families were of
eminence or where the records are exceptionally trustworthy and
interesting. But they are not put forward as the results of original
research or as fully established.
Pcdigr^
223
TOENI
(Arms : — Argent a manche gules.)
Fed. I.
Toeni.
Ralph i de Toeni, =p .
flor. abt. 1000 I
I. Roger i de T., :
Hispanicus : occ.
abt. 1020, d. abt.
1040
Godehildis, ^2. Richard, Count of Evreux
dau. of Raymund,
Count of Barcelona |
I I I
Helbert, Ralph ii de T.,
d. abt. Senex, de Conchis :
1040 b. abt. 1037, d.
Helinantius, 1102
d. abt.
1040
: Elizabeth,
dau. of Simon
de Montfort
I'Amauri
I
Robert ^ Avice,
de Stafford, I dau. of
d. abt. 1088-9 the Earl
I of Clare
Adelina
=WiIliam
Fitz-Os-
berne
Nigel de Stafford, =p...
occ. 1087" I
» Probably
son, possibly
brother of
William Fitz- Nicholas (seeped. LII) daughter, Robert de
Nigel de nun at Stafford.
Gresley (i) =p Elena ? Elstow
Gresley family
(ped. II)
I I
Roger ii de T., Ralph iii de T., ^pjudith, dau.
d. unm. 1093 Juvenis, de Conchis: I ofWaltheof
d. abt. 1 125
Roge
I
Godehildis
= I. Robert de Neu-
burgh
2. Baldwin, son of
~| Eustace, Count
bella of Boulogne
Ida, dau. of
Baldwin, Count
of Hainault
Ralph iv de T.,=p Margaret de Beaumont
\
I
Roger iv de T., =p Petronilla de Lacy
d. 1239 I
Roger V de T.,^ i. Alice de Bohun
d. 1277 2. Isabella
Clarissa
Richard,
d. 1252
). abt. 1255
1294 or
.5 I
Robert Baron de T., = Ma
d. without issue 1310
: I. Thomas de Leybourne, d. before
1310
2. Guy, Earl of Warwick, d. 1315 :
see pedigree VIII
3. (after 1315) William La Zouche
of Mortimer.
224
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. II.
Gresley.
GRESLEY
rms: — Vaire ermine and gules.)
WilUam fitz Nigel =j= Elena?
de Gresley, occ. I
1 129 : prob. dead
in I 166
Robert =f= Basilia
de Gresley,
occ. 1166-
abt. 1183
Engenulph^Alina, dau.
I I
Nigel de
Gresley, occ.
1171-1202?
Henry de
Gresley or de
Wetmore, occ.
abt. 1 1 77-8
I I
William
de Gresley,
deadinii63
Ralph de
Gresley or
de Hethre
daughters
I. Robert = (?) Hawisia, ^ 2. Henry
de Gresley,
d. without
issue be-
fore 1208
dau. of
Hawisius
or Hugh
de Bur-
stal : sur-
vived her
husband
Dionysia
= Stephen
de Wivers-
ton
1
I. Adam = Petronilla, = 2. Robert
de Aud-
ley?
married
R. de S.
in or be-
fore 1208,
de Sug-
genhall:
prob. d.
without
OCC.1230-1
issue
[Gen. Wrottesley regards it as certain that the Hawisia who
married Henry de Verdun was a daughter of Engenulph,
not wife of Robert. Adam de Audley was a son-in-law of
Ralph fitz Orm and brother-in-law of Robert fitz Orm.]
Ui|
WiUiam
de Gresley,
occ. 1184-
1220
Henry =
de Gresley
iv. Nicholas
de Norton,
occ. abt. iigo
Ralph = Cecil
de Roucester
Roger
de Norton
Henry ^ Alice?
de Gresley,
occ. abt. 1225
Geoffrey = Agatha
deBec
Geoffrey
de LuUington
Geoffrey ^ i. Margaret =:
de Gresle}', 1 (de Somervile) 0
occ. 1210-
1240 !
Richard = Alice,
fitz Gilbert, alive ir
d. in or bef. 1250
1250
2. Juliana?
as de Gresley
1244-47
v|
WUliam
de Gresley,
occ. abt. 1240-
1247: d.
bef. June
1254
.abt. 1244 ?■) Elizabeth
(de Bakepuiz)
Agnes,
prioress of
Gracedieu, occ.
1243-1281
Geoffrey
Sir Geoffrey de=f Agnes
Gresley, kt. |
(iff next page)
Pedigrees
225
Sir Geoffrey =F (before 1270?)
de Gresley, kt. , Agnes
b. abt. 1245, d.
abt. 1305
Fed. II.
Gresley.
conld.
vii|
1
Sir Peter =p Johanna
Robert =p Isolda,
Willi.im
e Gresley, l<t..
(de Stafford),
de Gresley,
living in
de Gresley,
occ. 1290; d.
who married
occ. 1292-3,
1298
occ. 1290-5?
abt. 1310
2ndly Sir Walter
de Montgomery
d. bef. 1298
and d. abt. 1342
John,
under age in 1297-8
de Gresley,
kt., occ. 1309 :
d. abt. 1331-2
largaret
Thomas, occ. 1320
6s'
Sir Robert =p Elena
Jernon),
Peter, occ. 1323, d.
1328
? de Gresley. kt,.
^Revell)
icc. abt.
Edmund, ^...
of Edingale,
330-52
occ 1310 1
-58 1
Geoffrey,
occ. 1353-4
occ. 1320-61 :
perh. =2.
Katherine de
Camvile
I. Rich. Botele
Ralph Belle
: Elizabeth,
occ. 1426
Sir John c=p I. Alice (de Swynnerton), (
Roger
Thomas, =f Katrine,
d. bef. occ. 1406
1406
Thomas,
occ. 1406
de Gresley, kt.,
occ. 1328: I
abt. 1395
1350
2. Joan (Toly\ widow of Sir Tho.
de Wasteneys, and mother of
Thomasine de W. : d. 1393
Sir Nicholas =p Thomasine (de Wasteneys) ; see
de Gresley, kt.,
b. abt. 1345-50 :
d. abt. 1374-89
Sir Thomas =p Margaret
de Gresley, kt., (Walsh),
b. abt. 1365: d. occ. 1392-
abt. 1445
I
Roger ^ Isabel (de
de Gresley, I Timhorn)
of Church
Gresley |
■John -I
Elizabeth Geoffrey
Gresley, kt., | (Clarell) de Gresh-y,
d. Jan. 17, 2. Margaret occ. 1433-9
1445 I (Norwood)
[see tiexl page)
d.
Joan
= Thor
Astley ;
to Hen,
,/*52-3
Margaret
= Sir Thomas
Blount
Innocentia, or Senecha
^John Curzon : lie
d. 1450: married in
1422-3; predeceased
his wife
Will. Babthorpe, =p Margaret
Attorney Gen. I
1420 9
226
TJic Gresleys of Drakelotve
Ped. II.
Gresley.
coiitd.
Sir John Greslev -p i
kt., d. Jan. 17, 144; I :
(abt. 1410) Elizabeth (Clarell)
(^abt. 1440) Margaret (Nor-
wood), d. without issue by
Sir John
Sir JohnG.,=pi. Anne
kt., b. 1418
d. Jan. 31,
I48f
Nicholas,
occ. 1450-55
ne=rSirWillia
I Peto: h
I 1464-5
John,
ibt.
d. 1487-
'434,
I
Thomasine' = Hugh
Wrottesley : he was
b. 1400, d. 1464,
She d. 1480
I
xiv I
Sir Thomas G., ^ Anne
kt., b. 1455, I (Ferrers)
d. 1503
I I
Elizabeth^ Thomas Alice ^ (1478 ?- John
I Wontford j Egerton
"I II
Sir William G., = Benedicta John G., b. Sir George G., ^ i. Margaret
kt., d. Mar. 10, (Vernon) 1481 or '82, kt., b. 1494, d. , (Blulsho)
152^, without a clerk in Apr. 21, 1548
legitimate issue Holy Orders
■ 2. (1537?) Katha-
xvi I
Edward G.
= Anne
(Corbet) :
he d. 1594,
and left
issue : see
ped. IV.
Elizabeth = (1557)
Charles Somer-
set, and had issue
Thomas ^= Jane
(Beaufo) ?, or
Dorotliy (De-
thick) ?, or
Elena?, or Mar-
garet : see ped. V
Anne,
J- 1555?
Elinor,
d. 1531?
John
Lord
shed
Sutton,
Dudley:
1574(0
Sir William G.,=f=(i548? Catherine Katliaiin-
kt., b. 1524 or I .^Aston) occ. 1537-
'25, d. May 23,
1573
; Edward Winter
Thomasine=rJohn
Darell : they had
Mill
Robert G., who had
a son George
James G. = Katha-
rine and had
issue : he d. 1536
Elizabeth = i. Sir
John de Mont-
gomerj', := 2. Sir
John Giffard. She
had issue by both
Ellen = Sir Nich.
StreUey
Mary =^ Thomas
Forster ?
xvii
SirThon'asG., = i. (abt. 1573) Elizabeth
kt.. b. Nov. 3, (Harvey!)
1552, d. Sept. =p2. Katherine (Walsing-
1610 ham), b. 1559, d.
, I Uec. 1585
:=3. Mary (Southwell', d.
1622
Simon G., =: i. Anne (Wood^
b. 1560 or =p2. Anne (Dixweil)
'61, d. 1637 i
see ped. VI
Katha
=: I. Francis Dethick
d. 1635 =2. Sir Earth. Hales
= 3. Edward Gibbs
Katharine ^ Sir Rich. Harpur
Henry G.,
b. 1575,
Sir George G.j-p Susan
ist Bart. I (Ferrers)
I M I I
Hastings G., b. 1565
or'66 = EIizabelii
(Francis)
Jane
Mary, occ. 1586
Elizabeth
Grace = Sir The.
Wolseley
1 1 I I
John G.,^ Joan (More)
b. 1581, I
d. 1623 ? -4^
William, b. 1583
Dorothy, b. Aug. 28,
1584, = Sir Alu.x.
Barlow
Walsingham, b. 1585, d.
1^33
Pedigrees
227
xviii
Sir George Gresley,
3t Bar'., b. 1579 or "81
a Parliamentarian :
d. Feb. 165^
busan (Ferrers"),
Qarr. Dec. 17, 1600:
d. after 1621
Ped. II.
Gresley.
contd.
xix I
Thomas G.,
d. Dec. 19,
164a
(1622) Elizabeth, d. 1607 ... . d. 1610
Bridget (Burdet), Dorothy, Elizabeth — Rich,
d. Nov. 25, 1685 =1. Robert Milward Walcot?
r= 2. Edw. Wiimot
H
)
Sir Thomas G.,=F Frances
Frances = John
rvG.
Id. young
2nd Bar'., b.
(Morewood\
Whitehall
rgeG.
I
1628 or '29 :
d. June 5, 1699
d.Junei7ii
Bridget = Thomas
GeTrgrG. = Jane
Nelson
Rich.
:Will.
^i I i I 1 I I
Frances =
Bridget
Elizabeth
Dorothy =: The.
Ward
Mary ^Daniel
Watson
Graces Robt.
Roby
xxii I
Adam Ottley ^ Bridget,
I b. 1697,
I d- 1737
Sir WilUam G., =
p Barbara
Anne Thomas
3rd Bar'.,b.
(Oakeley,
Catherine
Nov. 8, 1661,
nic Walcot),
Lattice
d. Oct. 17, 1710
b. Jan. 31,
(Thomas G. 6S-)
166',, d. 1724
Isabella (
Charies G., of
Dunstall =
Ann Bott
Sarahs I 'aul
Ballidon
t II
Katherine :
Dyott
Elizabeth = Philip
Trafford
Mary = Rev. John
Harpur
-p Elizabeth
(Lee)
(see ped. Ill)
Sir Tho
4th B:
d. 1746
i G.,-p I. Dorothy (Bowyer),
d. 1736
2. Gertrude (Gramnier)
William G.,
died young
t74o, d. 1749 Geoffrey G., =p Ja
xxui I I I I
William G.,
b. 1719, d. 1724
A son, b. and d.
1721
Sir Thomas G.,
5th Bar'., b. July
12, 1722, d. Dec.
23. 1753
Dorothy, b. 1725,
d. 1729
Sir Nigel G.,
6th Bar'., b.
Jan. II, I72|J,
d. Apr. 17, 1787
(,Hood)
: Elizabeth
(Wynne),
d. 1793
'758, d.
or bef. 1774
I
John G., b.
Charles G., b
Selina, b. 17:
William, b i
a dau. b. 173;
Two children
(Grant)
lmot,=p Sir Nigel Bowyer G.,
1750 I 7th Bar'., b. March
I i8, 1753, d. Mar. 26, i8
7 childr
xxiv 1 I
Thomas G., Robt. Willoughby -j- Jane,
b. 1767, d. b. 1769,
1798 I d. 1803
228
The Gresleys of Drakelozvc
Ped. II.
Gresley.
xxiii
Sir Kigel G., =p Elizabeth ' Wyn
6tli Bar'., cl. 1793
d. 1787
Sir Nigel Bowyer G.,
7tli Bar'., b. March
18, 1753, d. March
I. Wilmot (Gresley)
his 1st cousin ;
she d. 1790
'754,
MM
Dorothy, b.
d. young
Anne, b. 1755.=
Sir John Eden-
sor Heathcote :
shed.
p2. Maria Eliza
fOar-
Elizabeth,
way); d.
1840
d.
Fran
llf
d.
1836
1797
■ b. 1756,
XXV I I
Wilmot Maria, b. 1778,
= Rev. T. Levett:
she d. 1845
Emma Sophia, b. 1785,
= Rich. E. Heath-
cote, her ist cousin :
she d. 1813
Elizabeth Augusta, b.
1787: d. 1808
Almeria Georgiana
Eliza, b. 1797:
Louif
Georgiana
b. 1798,=
E. Wood-
Rev.
yat
'Roger fs-)
Nigel, b. 1801,
1816
I
Sir Roger G.,
8th Bar'., b.
Dee. 27, 1799:
d. Oct. 12,
1837
I I I
Louisa Jane, b.
1 759, = Rev.
Will. Gresley,
her 3rd
cousin, see
next page :
she d. 1806
Harriet, b.1761,
r=JohnJelly:
she d. 1810
Mary Susanna,
b. 1762, =
Rev. B. J.
Proby : she
Sophia Catherine
(Coventry), dau.
of the 7th Earl
of Coventry
Pedigrees
"2.2!^
GRESLEY, of Nether Seile
Fed. III.
Gresley.
xxi. Thomas Grcsic}', =p Elizabeth (Lee)
brother of Sir William Greslev,
3rd Bar'. : of Nether Seile : "b.
May 10, 1668 : d. April 6, 1743
1749
Frances,
d. 171C
Thomas
Dorothy (Wil-
cockson;, d.
1746
2. Mary (Bradley\
widowofjohn
Toplis : she d.
1766
! i I
Elizabeth, b. 1712,
^ Henry Gresley,
a distant cousin,
see p. 141 ; she
d. 1792
James G., b. 1715,
= Ann (Farmer):
he d. 1745
Robert, b. 1717, =
Jane (Hurt?) : see
p. 104
xxiil I
Thomas G., =p i. Elizabeth (Vin-
" " " ■" cent), d. 1769
D.D., Rector of
Seile: b. July
d. April
1785
1734:
^2. Elizabeth
I (Wilkes), widow
of Will. Py croft:
she d. 1816
I I
JohnCb. 1736:
Fellow of
Emman. Coll.
Camb. : d. 1795
Elizabeth, b. 1740,
d. 1744
Elizabeth, b. 1745
or '46, = Sam.
Ball : she d.
Charles Lee G., b. and
d. 1748
James Henry G.
William TheophilusG.,
= 1. Anne(,Watk;ins',
^2. Mary (Anning-
son)
Robert G., = Mary
(Deane"), see p. 108
WalsinghamG., b. 1758
I
Charles G..
■ 1777, d. 17
JohnG.
1779, d. I
xxiv 1 1
Nigel G.,
1
William G.,=
= I
Louisa Jane
Thomas G., b.
Elizabeth,
b.
b. 1758, d. 1761 Rector of
(Gresley),
1761, d. 1817
1763, d.
1703
Dorothy, Scale: b.
his 3rd
Richard, b. 1766,
Mary, b.
764.
b. 1759, <]. 1767 Aug. 27,
cousin
= I. Caroline
d. 1834
1760, d.
(Grote), = 2.
Frances,
b.
Oct. 3,
Mary (Drum-
1769, d.
1770
mond): lie d.
1850. See p.
148
n
r=^
Mary (Thorp)
5 children,
see ped. VI
XXV I
Louisa Elizabeth,
b. i8or, = Rev.
Spencer Madan:
she d. 1861.
See ped. XL
I
Sir William Nigel G., -pGeorgina Ar
9th Bar'., b. March j (,Reid)
25, 1806, d. Sept. 3,
1847. I
{see next l^^e)
230
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Ped. III.
Gresley.
XXV. Sir William Nigel G.,=p Georgina Ann (Reid)
qth Bar'., 4th cousin of
the 8th Bar'. : Rector of
Seile : b March 25, 1806
succ. as Bar'. Oct 12,
1837 : d. Sept. 3, 1847
xxvil
MM
MM
Sir Thomas G.,=
p Laura Anne
Louisa Mary, b. 1833 Georgina Wilmot, b.
loth Bar'., b.
(WilUams)
Nigel G., b. 1834, 1830, = Henry
Jan. 17, 1832,
Rector of Seile, ..
Cunliffe Shawe. and
d. Dec. 18,
Joanna Beatric
e has had 7 children
1868
(VVilson\ and had Frances, b. and d.
six children : he d
1841
1897
Agnes Elizabeth, b.
William Lee G., b
1842
1836, d 1888
Arthur Francis, b.
Sophia Amelia, b
1844
1837, d- 1853
xxvii 1
1
1
Laura,
Walter
Sir Robert Gresley, =
F Lady Frances Louisa
.andd. 1856
b. andd.
nth Bart., b. Feb.
(Spencer-Churchiir,
Oct. 15, 1864
I, 1866
dau. of the 8th Duke
of Marlborough, b.
Sept. 15, 1870
xxviii]
1
Nigel Gresley,
Laurence Gresley,
heir
to the Baronetcy,
b. March 3, 1896
b
April 22, 1894
Pedigrees
231
Ped. IV.
Gresley.
EDWARD GRESLEY
second son of Sir George Greslej'
(see p. 66^
Edward Gresley, =p Anne (Corbet),
bur. at Alrewas, I buried at
Apr. 4, 1594" Alrewas^
xviil
Charles G.,
matr. Dec. 20, 1577,
at Broadg. Hall,
Oxford, aged 16:
d. July II '', bur.
July 13. 1592"
I M
Arthur G., occ. 1598
(Parker's Colton,
p. 209 ; Gresley
Charter 494)
William G., d. Mar.
II, 158^, bur. at
Alrewas ^
John G., d. Sept. 14,
1559, bur. at
Alrewas '^
Thomas G., =p Elizabeth (Wakelin)
married Sept. I
29, isgo''
Ann, bapt. July 31, I596'
Simon, ,, Aug. 17, 1597"
Edward, „ Sept. 9, 1598"
Elizabeth, „ May 25, 1600 »
" Alrewas Register.
i" Bodl. MS. Dodsw. 82, fol. 58'.
Gresley Chartulary, p. 3.
Nichols' Leicestershire i^Gresley Ped
gree).
232
The Grcslcys of Drakdoiuc
Fed. v.
Gresley.
THOMAS GRESLEY
third son of Sir George GrcsIey
(sec p. 67)
Thomas Gresley, ^' Jane, dau. of Elizabeth Beaufo
d. bef. Apr. = ? Dorothy, dau. of William Dethick
1572 ^1 Elena
^ ' Margaret his supposed wife : ' alive
in Apr. 1572
xvii 1
1
1
1
Edward G.
Charles G., ^
F... SuLan
Arthur,
^ Isabc
George G.
prob. took B.A.
bur. at Lull
ng- , bur. at L
Katherine
degree from
ton, March
13.
ton, Feb
Merton College,
1641-
i64§
Oxford, Feb. 18,
158I
xviii 1
1
xviU III
1
Charles G.
Grace G.
Sarah
Judith
Thomas G. ^
Catherines Rev.
Rich
Kerke ",
Apr.
16, 1630 :
she,
a widow,
was
bur. at
Lulli
igton.Dec.
12, i67i«
Mary
xix I I
Frances, bapt. at Penk-
ridge in StafTordshire,
Jan, I, 163}
Anne, bapt. Feb. 11,
1633
I
Thomas G., bapt. at
LuUington, July
20, 1635"
Mary, bapt. at Lul-
lington, Dec. 18,
1637-
I I
George G., bapt. at
LuUington, July
29, 1639"
William G., bapt.
at LuUington,
Apr. 7, 1644 •»
^ LuUington Register.
Gresley Chartulary, p. 3.
Nichols' Leicestershire (Gresley Pedigree).
Pedigrees 233
Fed. VI.
Gresley.
SIMON GRESLEY
second son of Sir William Gresley
(see p. 68)
Simon Gresley, = I. Anne (Wood), d. 1591,
b. 1560 or '61, without issue
d. 1637 =p2. Anne (^Dixwell)
xviu I""" \ j TM i
George G., William G., Katherine, Elizabeth = Sir Lettice
alive in dead in whose Will is Rich. Harpur, ^ i. ...Crawley
1637 1637 dated July 5 as his 2nd wife =2.... Atkins,
and proved Maria alive in
Dec. 2, 1689 : Mary Anne 1689
of St. Giles's ;=... Leventhorp
in the Fields,
London
.Simon's Will, 1637.
K.itherine's Will, 1689.
Gresley Pedigrees.
234
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Fed. VII.
Gresley.
WILLIAM GRESLEY
father of the gth Baronet, by his 2nd wife
(see p. 122)
R
ev. Willi
amG.,=;
P2. (1811) Mary (Thorp
)
Rector of Seile ;
b
Aug. 27, 1760:
d. Oct. 3, 1829
XXV 1 1 1
1
1
1
Frances Mary,
John More-=p Pene
lope Charles G., ^
= Augusta Maria,
b. 1812, d.
wood G.,
(Vavasour\ b. 1817 :
Catharine b. 1821
1888
b.
1816:
d. I
858 Chapter Clerk
(Leigh)
Harriet, b.
Rector of
of Lichfield
1813, =
Seile: d.
Cathedral
Rev. George
1866
Madan, see
ped. XL
Emma,b. 1814,
d. 1815
xxvi 1 1
1 1
xxvl Mill
i hi
Nigel Walsingh
am
William StuUele
y Wilhelmina Mary,
Nigel Egerton G.,
G., b. 1850:
G., b. 1852,=
b. 1853
b. i860 ; in
Rector of Diirs-
Maria E.Arche
r: Isabel Beatrice, b.
America
ley : = Char-
1855
Eleanor Louisa, b.
lotte (Drum-
Roger St. Joh
n Charles Egerton
1862
mond), widow
of
G., b. 1854
; G., b. 1856, d.
Rosamond Evelyn,
H. S. Gresley
Vicar of Row
1857
b 1863
Geoffrey Ferrers
barton
Augusta Penelope,
Charies Vincent G.,
G., b. 1851:
in
Laurence Staffer
d b. 1858
b. 1865 : Curate
Holy Orders,
in
G., b. 1855
: Herbert Leigh G.,
ofWincobank
Africa
Vicar of Bird
b. and d. 1859
Margaret More-
sail
wood, b. 1867
* Married 1889: their issue is, Stukeley Marmadukc G., b.
wood G., b. 1892; William Francis G., b. 1898.
>; Nigel Mc
Pedh
235
PEDIGREES OF FAMILIES WHICH
HAVE INTERMARRIED WITH THE GRESLEYS
ARDERNE
See STANLEY
Arderne.
ASTLEY
-azure a cinquefoil pierced ermine.)
Fed. VIII.
Astley.
Thomas de Astley =p Elizabeth, daughter of Guv de Beauchamp,
the last Lord Astley : I Earl of Warwick, and "of Alice, the last
d. abt. 1359 Do Toeni: he d. 1315, aged 40
I
Sir William de A. =p Katherine
I (Willoughby)
Joan
Sir Thomas de A., =p Elizabeth, dau. of Sir
Rich. Harcourt
I ==" I I II
Thomas A., ^ Joan (Gresley) Sir John do A. William A. Richard A.
occ. 1429-30 I K.G. Henr
Thomas A. = Margaret
Hugh A. =p
of PatishuU, (Butler)
1
d. 1483-4
4-
A.=F.
I
Staffordshire Visitation, 1583.
CoUins's Baronetage (1741), iv. 372.
Burton's Leicestershire (1777), p. 53.
236
The Gresleys of Drakelozvc
ASTON, of Tixall
(Arms : — argent a fcss and three lozenges in chief sable.)
Sir Roger Aston ~ Joyce (Freville)
I
Sir Robert A. =p Isabella (Brercton)
, I
John A. =F Elizabeth (Delves)
d. .483-4 I
Sir John A. =F Joan (Littleton)
Sir Edward A. =^ i. Mary, dau. of Sir Henry
of Tixall, d. Vernon, d. without issue
1567-8 1525
^2. Jane i^BowIes), d. 1563
xvi
Sir Walter A. =p Elizabeth Elizabeth Sir Will. Gresley = Catheri
d. 1589 (Leveson) =...Lawley
Leonard A.
I = Elizabeth
(Barton)
John A.
Antony A.
= Elizabeth
(Lawley)
SirEdw. A. =p i. Mary
d- 1597 I (Spencer)
Sir Simon Harcourt
of Stanton Har-
Robt. Needham:
= Mary
: Frances
Anne
Dorothy
Amy
ones! '-
who d.
without
F 2. Anne
(Lucy)
issue
SirW
first Lord As
who bought
the Greslej
hed. I
liter A. =
on of Forfar,
Colton from
s in 1609 :
&39-
- Gertrude (Sadler)
SirTho. Clifford's Tixall, p. 147 sqq.
Brit. Mus. MSS. Harl. 6128, fol. i ;
1077, fol. 64".
Cokayne's Peerage.
Pedigrees 237
Fed. X.
Bakepuiz.
BAKEPUIZ
(Arms :— gules three bars argent as many fers dc cheval in chief or.)
Ralph ^ ...
de Bakepuiz,
occ. 1067
Henry deB., Robert de B. =j= .. .
d. without
issue
John de B.j^pRoesia Aelez
of Barton (a daughter)
Bakepuiz
Williarri de B., =p ... William de Gresley,^: Elizabeth John de
occ. 1219-20
=p... William ae Ltresiey, -r c-iizaDeui jonn ue o.,-r-...
occ. 1244-47 I occ. 1235
Iphde B.,=p... Nicholas
kt., T
1251-2
Sir Ralph de B.,=p.
occ. I
Sir John de B.,=p...
.. I
John de B.,^,..
Thomas de B.,=p...
I
— de Longford = Helen,
dau. and heir : a
widow in 1384-5
No satisfactory pedigree of this family has yet been drawn out. The above
is from Nichols' Leicestershire iii. 5-6. with the Grcslcy coiincvion conjccturally
fitted in, the conjectural parts being represented by dotted lines.
TJie Grcsleys of Drakelozvc
BALL
Edward Ball =p Mary, dau. of Samuel
of Tamworth I Crosland and Ann
(Harding) his wife
Edw. B. =pSarah Thomas B :^ Ann .
of Tamworth, of Rochdale I
I _ xxlii
Samuel B. =p Elizabeth Gresley
d. before Jan.
13, 1781: of
Tamworth
(ped. Ill;
John B. of
Samuel B. :p i^iSoi^ Elizabeth
Dorothy
Frances
Elizabeth
Wapling-
b. March 16,
(Vickerman\
= Thomas
b. 1779, d.
= ... Baxter,
ton in
1775, d. 1828,
who d. 1856
Whately
1840 : = Will.
d. 1789
Yorkshire
farmer at
Skipsea
Terrell of
Bristol, brewer
Ann
Manuscript pedigrees and notes.
Pedigrees 239
Fed. XII.
Baxlow,
BARLOW, of Barlow Moor
-sable an eagle displayed with two necks argent armed or [?].)
Alexander Barlow, M.P.,=p Elizabeth (Leigh),
d. 1584, a recusant d. 1583
Roman Catholic
Alexander B., = i. Elizabeth (Belfieldl when
b. 1556 or 1557, he was 4 years old : he
d. 1620 obtained a divorce in
1574
=p2. Mary iBrereton), survived
I her husband
I nrm — nmni
Sir Alexander B.,=p I. Elizabeth, dau. of George B. Elizabeth
d. 1642 Edw, Parker, William B. Margaret = John Talbot
I Lord Morley Edward B. Frances
John B. Mary
xviu Robert B. Jane
^ 2. Dorothy ^Gresley) Edward B. Katherine
L
Alexander B., ^ Frances *Dorothy^ James Gorsuch
died without (Brcreton) *Katharine=^ Henry Norris
issue abt. Thomas,
1654 Anne, bapt. 1620, a Poor Clare, occ.
Mary
Elizabeth
Henry B.
William B., d. young
perhaps children of the first wife.
Lancashire Visitations.
Chetham Soc. xlii, pp. 264-8.
240
TJie Gresleys of Drakelozvc
Ped. XIII.
Blount.
BLOUNT
(Arms : — barry ncbuly of six or and sable.)
I. Isolda = Sir John Blount -p
(Mountjoy) of Sodington
l^Beauchamp)
Diego Gomez -pines Alfon
de Toledo, • ■ •■
alcalde of
Toledo
Sir Walter Blount =F Sanchia (de Ayala)
irjohn
Sir Thomas Blount, =
Treasurer of Nor-
mandy : d. 1456.
1. Margaret Gresley
2. Elizabeth, occ. 1459-60
Sir Walter B., :
first Lord
Mountjoy: K.G. :
1st marriage, abt.
1440: 2nd, 1467:
d. 1474
1. Helen Thomas B. Elizabeth
(Byron) = i. Agnes z= Ralph
2. Anne, dovv. (Hawley) Shirley
Duchess of 2. Catherine
Buckingham (Clifton)
Sanchia
=:Ed\\
ford
Agnes
= ...Wolsley
, Lang-
Sir Alex. Croke's History of the Croke
Family (1823) ii. 174, ped. 11 : ii. 252,
ped. 12.
Shropshire Visitation, 1623.
Gresley Chartulary, p. 6.
Nash's Worcestershire ii. opp. p. 162.
F. M. Nichols, Lawford Hall, pp. 184 sqq.
Pedigrees
Fed. XIV.
Bott.
BOTT
(Arms :— or a chevron ermine between three mullets sable.)
^ I I
Frances
Elizabeth
Frances,
and dau.
1 Bott, =p
■ 25, i68j I
=F Elizabeth
(Wolferstanl,
d. Feb. 25, 171I
Septimius Bott,:
d. Oct. 3, 1702
iGresley-p Anne,
I 3rd dau.
Ann, 3rd
Elizabeth, =i
pi. Thomas Bott,
dau., d. Jan.
eldest dau.
2nd son,
18, 17^:
she marr.
marr. 1725 (?)
her infant
2. Samuel
sonbyEdw.
Beardsley :
Mathews,
shed. 1775
William,
d. 1731
Edward B,
eldest son
d. 1706
a. 1709
lizabeth,
d. 1726
I I I I
Elizabeth Thomas B. John B. Henry.
(all died young)
Monuments at Trinity Church, Coventry,
and at Tatenhill.
242
The Greslcys 0/ Drakclozvc
Ted. XV.
Bowyer.
BOWYER
(Arms :— argent a lion rampant between three crosses crosslet fitchy gules.)
Sir John Bowyer, -^Catharine (Yclverton)
kt., of Knyperslc3-,
b. 1557, d. 160^
Sir William B., =p Hester (Skeffington)
kt., b. 1588, d. 164I
Sir John B., =rMary, dau. of Robt. Milward
Bart., b. 1623, I by Dorothy, dau. of .Sir
d. 1666 GeorgeGresley(^seepcd.II)
Sir John B., =p Jane i Murray),
Sir William
B
,T=Anne,dau.of
b. 1653, d. 1691 1 d. 1727
b. 1654, d. I
70
J George Dale
Sir John B. Elizabeth Mar\', who
Jane, who
n
Anne, who
b. i68?,d. 1701, = Charles
= Leftwich
= I. Sir Tho.
without issue Adderley
Oldfield in
Bellot,
in 1703,
1702 : her
2. Rowland
and had
grand-dau.
Port, Esq.
issue
= Sir Nigel
Dorothy, who
Gresley (xxiii),
= Sir Tho.
see ped. 11
Gresley (xxii)
Jane d. Oct. 18
1749
The Bowyer estates were divided equally by lot among the four daughters of Sir
William Bowyer. The Norton estate fell to Mary: the Sidway, Maer Aston,
Dedington and Bucknal estates to Jane, through whose grand-daughter part came
to Sir Nigel Gresley : the Apedale estate to Anne, who left it to Sir Nigel, her
nephew and great-nephew : and the Knypersley estate to Dorothy, mother of
Sir Nigel.
MSS. of S. P. Wolferstan.
Buwj-er family Notebook.
Pedigrees
243
Ped. XVI.
Brome.
BROME
(Arms : — azure a sinister hand erect in pale couped at the wrist argent [?].)
Thomas Skeffington=p Isabel .Byron)
I I Ml
Sir William S. son three
:= Catherine daughters
(Chetwode)
r. William Brome^p Katherine=2. Robert
of Woodlow, d. I Barford
abt. 1620
1
1
XX
1
1 1 1
bertB.y...
Thomas
B.^ Bridget
John
B.::p...
Lettice
(Gresley),
Ursula
H^
marr. Dec.
Anna
30, 1657:
Skeffington B
r
bur. March
3, 171*
Thomas Skeffington =p Elizabeth
alias Brome, ; (Dugdale)
d. Dec. 25, 1709 marr. Dee.
I I, 1693
ilill
Richard B., b. 1664
William B.
Charles B.=p... (Pole)
John B.
Rev. George B.
I'll
Bridget
Catherine, b. 1661
Frances
Mary = Sir Robt.
Burdet of Fore-
mark : she was
bur. July 14,
174a
Shaw's Staffordshire i. 373.
Nichols' Leicestershire iii. 450.
244
The Grcsleys of Drakelozve
Ped. XVII.
Burdet.
BURDET
(Arms :— azure on two bars or six martlets gules.)
Thomas Burdet =p Bridget (Curzon)
of Bramcote
1
1 1
II
I. Robert B.,=F Ma
rgaret (Wilson),
2 sons
2 daughters
d. i6or 1 who mar. a Sir
Chn
slopher Lowther
nl.
1
Anne
1
Sir Thomas B.,=F
1602) Jane
1 1
Elizabeth
= Rich.
= Sir John
b. 1585:
(Francisi,
— Anthony
Trumpton
Bowes of
of Foremark
d. i63f
Hatton
Elford, who
Bridget
d. 1645:
their son
George =:
his first
cousin Mary
Burdet
1
II 1 II
xix
1 III
Sir Francis B.,^
F Eliza-
Robert B., Mary,
Thomas ::,= Bridget, Lettice
Gresley | 4thdau. Isabel
b. i6o8, d.
beth
2nd son eldest
1696
(Walter),
d. 1701
Leicester B., dau.,
3rd son = Geo.
Bowes
Dorothy,
2nd dau
ard'dau.
'S
Katherine
Sir Robert B.= i
I I
. sons 4 daughters
Nichols' Leicestershire iii. 351.
Wotton's Baronetage i. (1741), 335-6.
Betham's Baronetage i. (1801), 163-6.
Chicheley.
CHICHELEY
See DARELL
Churchill.
CHURCHILL
Sec SPENCER.CHURCHILL
Pedigrees
245
CLARELL,
of Tickhill and Aldwark, in Yorkshire
(Arms : gules six martlets three two and one argent.)
Ped. XVIII.
Clarell.
Sir William Clarell, ^ Agnes, lady of Aldwark
occ. 1316 : d. 1332 I
Sir Thomas C.,=p Isabel (Philibert)
occ. 1341 I
William C, =p Elizabeth (Reygate) Agnes
occ. 1371-83
Sir Thomas C, =p Matilda, dau. of Sir Nicholas
d. 1442 Montgomery by Margaret
(Foljambej
William C. Agr
I M xii 111
Thomas C, ^Elizabeth John C. Sir John =f Elizabeth
b. abt. 1394 : 1 (Scropc) Robert C. Gresley j ' I I
d. 1430 A Catherine
I Matilda
Margaret
^i. John Fitzwillii
3. Sir William Gas-
coyne (a clan-
destine marriage
in abt. 1425)
J. Hunter's South Yorkshire or Doncaster
ii. (1831), p. 53.
J. Foster's Yorkshire Pedigrees i.
Brit. Mus. MSS. Harl. 4630, p. 94 ; Add.
5530, pp. xxvii, cii.
Gresley Chartulary, p. 55.
246
The Creslcys of Dmkclozve
Coventry,
Earls of
Coventry.
COVENTRY
-sable a fcsse ermine between three crescents or.)
William Coventry, t: Elizabeth (Allen),
5th Earl of Coventry, I d. Nov. 23, 1738
d. March 18, 175J
Thomas Henry C,
b. March 27, 1721 :
d. unm. May 20,
1744
William C, =j= i. (1752) Maria (Gunning), the
6th Earl of Coventry,
b. April 26, 1722 :
d. Sept. 3, 1809
ell-known beauty, who
Sept. 30, 1760
=^2. (1764) Barbara (St. John),
dau. of Lord St. John : she
d. Nov. 25, 1804
May Alicia,
b. 1754
Anne Margaret,
t>. 1757
George William,
7th Earl of Coventry,
b. April 25, 1758:
d. March 26, 1831
:i. (1777) Lady Catherine (Hen-
ley), dau. of the Earl of
Northington : she d. with-
out issue March g, 1779
■ 2. (1783) Peggy, dau. of Sir
Abraham Pitches: she d.
Jan. 15, 1840
INI
George William, 8th
Earl of Coventry, b.
Oct. 16, 1784, = !.
(1S08) Lady Emma
Susanna Lygon),
dau. of Earl Beau-
champ : = 2. (1811)
Lady Mary (Beau-
clerk", dau. of the
Duke of St. Albans.
He d. May 15, 1843
Augusta Margaret, b.
1785, = Gen. Wil-
loughby Cotton
Georgiana Catherine,
b. 1786, = M. W.
Barnes, Esq.
Emily Elizabeth, d. in
infancy
I I I M I
John C, b. 1789
Thomas Henry C,
d. in infancy
Thomas Henry C,
b. 1792
Jane Emily, b.
1794
William James C,
b. 1797
Barbara, b. 1799,
= Lieut.-Col.
Crawfurd
I
Sir Roger =p Sophia Catherine
Gresley b. Nov. 30, 1801
d. March 29,
1875
Sophia Editha,
b. and d. 1823
Pedigrees
247
Fed. XX.
Curzon.
CURZON
(Arms : — azure on a bend between two lions rampant argent three popinjays vert.)
WiUiam de Curzon, =p Elizabeth (Gifford)
occ. 1378-14H I
1
JohnC. =fCiceley
ofCroxall, occ.
1421-41
1 xU
John C, =pSenecha (or Innocentia)
d. Apr. 4, 1450 1 Gresley
1
Thomas C.,=i
d. Aug. 8,
1485
III III
p Margaret Wilham C. Elizabeth
(Hartington) Ralph C. Alice
John C. Margaret
Richard C.
John C,
d. young
1 1
John C., = Anne ,Ashby) Mary,
d. 1500 d. young
Rich. Usshcr's Parish of Croxall Ci£
pp. 5-6, ped. opp. p. 10.
248
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. XXI.
Darell.
DARELL
: a lion rampant or armed langed and crowned gules.)
Thomas Chichele, =p Agnes (Pyncheon)
William Darell =F Emma Henry C, Sir Robert C. William C. =FBeatrice
archbp. of Ld. Mayor of
l^Barret)
Canterbury, London, d.
d. 1443 1440
1 1
Marmaduke D.
1 1 III
John Darell, ^ Florence, who had William C
, archdn.
William D.
of
Steward to Archbp.
mar. ist Nicholas of Canterbury
Littlecot
Chichele : occ. 1404.
Peachey, and 2nd John C.
His 1st wife was
John Burton Agnes or Ehzabeth
Joane Barret, and
their issue were
the Darells of
= Thomas Dee
Colehill :
xiv
Thomas Darell =pThomasine, dau. of
of Scotney Sir John Gresley
(only child)
on
Henry D.=
1 1
I Elizabeth Sir Simony Agnes Florences!. ...Hop
(Cheney) Harcourt, | = 2. Nicholas Petyt
d. 154I 1 =3. John Fallowfield
-f
Stemmata Chicheleana (1765) tables i, 2
108, 219 : suppl. (177s), pp. viii, xi.
Hasted's Kent ii. 380, iii. 224-5.
Nottinghamshire Visitations, 1569, 1614.
Archaeologia Cantiana xvii. 46.
Derby.
DERBY
See FERRERS
Pedigrees
249
DETHICK of Newhall
(Arms :— argent a fess vaire or and gules between three water-bougets sable.)
Fed. XXII.
Dethick.
William Dethick^ Anne (Bradbourne)
I
(Rolleston)
William D.
= ... Alsop
Edward D.
Humphrey D.,=p Elizabeth (Longford)
occ. 1569 I
I II II I
Margery
I L
Robt. Milward (see pedi-
gree xli)
Dorothy ^ Thomas Gresley (xvi)
^Dyonise Cramphorne
Margarets I. Tho. Finderne
= 2. Philip Okeover
Anne =:Rich. Rollesley
Emma ^ James Sacheverell
Elizabeth = Ralph Leigh \
Anne ^Thomas Leigh
brothers
I I I
Robert D.
Helen
Agnes ^ ... Barbor
Elizabeth = Ralph Leeson
Francis D. ^ Katharine Gresley
Alexander Redish -7- Katharine
Clement Coke =^ Sarah
Note. The Dorothy Dethick who married John Harpur (see ped. XXXIII) was
the daughter and heiress of John Dethick of Breadsall, a distant connexion of the
Newhall Dethicks. Her name came from her grandmother, Mrs. Dorothy Powtrell :
she was born in 1589, and died on Jan. 12, 161 1.
Genealogist, N.S., vii. 79-80.
Derbyshire Visitations, 1569 and 161 1
Derbyshire Archaeol, Soc. vi, opp. p.
25°
The Grcslcys of Drakelovoe
Ped. XXIII.
Dixwell.
DIXWELL
(Arms : — argent a chevron gules between three fleurs-de-Iys sable.)
William Dixwell, ^ Elizabeth (Knight)
occ. 1593 I
I
lumphrey D.-pAnn or Elinor (Low)
ilirey U.=F^
Robt. Price ==: Mary Sampson Erdeswick = Elizabeth Ann=:i. Edw. Broughton
a. Simon Gresley
Warwickshire Visitation, 1619.
Dudley. DUDLEY
See SUTTON
Pedigrees
251
Ped. XXIV.
Dyctt.
DYOTT
(Arms : — or a tiger passant sable.)
Anthony Dyott, ^ Catherine (Harcourt),
of Lichfield, | d. 1603
barrister
Sir Richard D.,=p Dorothy, dau. and
royalist, M.P.,
d. March 8,
l6fj, aged 69
heir of Rich.
Dorrington, Esq.,
of StatTord : she
d. Aug. 17, 163a
I 1
Robert D., in
Holy Orders
John b.
Anthony D.,:= Barbara,
d. without dau. of
viving, June Ingrain
Richaid D.,
royalist : d.
Nov. 5. 1677:
bur. at Lich-
field
I I I I
. (Feb. 7, i66|) Matthew = Mary
Katharine Gresley (Babington)
(xx): d. June 29, John
1667 : bur. atLich- Simon = Jane
field (Bainbriggel
I. (Apr. 28, 1670) Michael, d. Mar.
Anne (Green) 16, i66|-
.icf
b.
d.
ard D., ^
1667:
1719
= Frances flnge), his
cousin : bapt. Aug.
2, 1667 : marr.
Sept. 20, 1685 :
bur. Dec. 12, 1702
I I
Richard D., = Mary (Lane) Frances
bapt. June = Christopher
3, 1687 Sanders, of
Shareshill, co.
Stair.
Shaw's Staffordshire i. 363.
252 The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Ped. XXV.
Egerton.
EGERTON
-gules a fess between three pheons argent.)
Hugh Egerton, =r Margaret, dau. of
d. 1479 I John Dutton :
she d. 1499
I I
John E., =1. ... Cotes Will. Chet\vynd,= Alice,
of Wrinhill,^2. Alice, dau. of Sir John murdered 1494 d. 1534
d. 1494 I Gresley(xivi
3. Elenor, dau. of Sir R.
Brereton
I I
Sir Henry -y- Ellen Henry Marmion ^ Isabel
Willoughby |
Hugh
Cheshire Visitation, 1580.
Gresley Chartulary, p. 60.
H. E. C. Stapylton's Chetwynds JiSgs),
p. 125.
Pedis^recs
253
FERRERS P-^"- ^xvi.
Ferrers,
(Arms : — gules seven fusils three three and one voided of the field, in Earls of
chief a label of three points azure. Ferrers of Chartley and ancient Ferrers
Ferrers bore, vaire or and gules : see p. 205) and Derby.
Walkeline de Ferrers,^...
Henry de F., =j= Bertha
d. 1088 or 1089
Engenulph de F.,
d. without issue
William de F.,
d. without issue
ist Earl of
Derby, d. 1139
Vitre)
William de F.,
d. without issue
I
Robert de F.,
Earl of Ferrers,
2nd Earl of Derby,
d. 1 162
Amice := Nigel
d'Albii
Gundred
Emmelme
:SibilIa(deBraose)?
William de F., := i. Margaret (Peverell) 1
Earl of Ferrers, =p2. Sibilla
3rd Earl of Derby,
d. 1191 I
Walkeline
Isolda
Matilda
4th Earl of Derby,
d. 1247
' I I I
Robert
Henry
Isabella
Petronilla =^ Harvey
de Stafford
William de F., =pi. Sibilla, dan. of the Earl
Earl of Ferrers, I of Pembroke (Marshall)
5th Earl of Derby, ^2. Margaret, dau. of the
d. 1254 I Earl of Winchester (de
Quincy)
7 daughters
Robert de F., :
Earl of Ferrers,
6th Earl of Derby, :
d. 1268
Mary (Le Brun), niece
of King Hen. iii
Eleanor (Basset)
I
William de F.,=p I. Joan (Le Ji
of Groby,
The Earls
Ferrers of Chartley
Despencer)
Eleanor (de
Lovaine)
m ^ Lord
Berkeley
William de F., ^Margaret, dau. of
ist Lord Ferrers I Lord Segrave (?)
of Groby, d. 1325
Henry de F., =p Isabel (Verdon), great-grand-
2nd Ld. F. of G., daughter of King Edw. i
d. 1343
William de F., =p i. Margaret, dau. of the Earl
3rd Ld. F. of G., of Suffolk (Ufford)
d. 1372 I 2. Margaret, dau. of Lord Percy.
(sec next t>«se)
254
TJie Gi'cshys of Dmkelozvc
Ped. XXVI.
Ferrers.
contd.
F. -p Margaret
Henry de F., =pJoan, dau. of
4th Ld. F. of
G.,d.
Lord St. John
(Poynings)
Sir WilHam de F., :p i. Philippa dau. of Lord De Clifford,
5th Ld. F. of
G., d. 1445
Hcnrj
deF.
=r
sabel dau. of
Si
rTh
sdeF.,^
died
n his
1
the Duke
d.
142
)-9
father's
litetim
e 1
of Norfolk
(Mowbray)
or Margaret dau. of the Earl of
Salisbury
■2. Elizabeth (Wrottesley, ne'e Standish)
Elizabeth
Freville :
Lady of
Tamworth")
Sir Tliomas d(
of Tamwort
d. 1498
Anne '^Hastings)
ir Henry de F. ^ Margaret
I (Heckstall)
Ferrers of Baddesley Clinton
John F., T= Maud (Stanley)
d. abt. 1485 I
Sir Thomas Gresley ^ Anne
Sir John F.,
d. 1512 or
Margaret Leonard F. Sir Ralph F. Willi;
=p Dorothy (Harpur)
515
Sir Humphrey F., =p Margaret Pigot)
d- 1554 I
Sir John F., ^ Barbara (Cockayne)
d. 1576 I
Sir Humphrey F., ^ Jane (Bradbourne)
Sir John F., =p Dorothy (Puckering)
d. 1633 I
Sir George Gresley -r- Susan
Sir Humphrey F. ^ An
Dugdale's Baronage i. 257.
Cokayne's Peerage.
Planche in Journ. of the Archaeol. Assn.
vii (1852), p. 220.
Jewitt, Derbyshire Domesday (1871), p. vii.
Cox in Derb. Archaeol. Soc. i.\ (1887),
p. 118.
Shirley's Stemmata Shirleana, p. 103.
Shaw's Staffordshire i. 418.
SirTho. de Ferrers' Will, dated Feb. 149 .
H. NoiTis, Baddesley Clinton (1897).
Sic.
Pedigrees
255
Ped. XXVII.
Forster.
FORSTER, of Evelith
(Arms ; — quarterly per fcss indented argent and sable : fir
hurn uf the last strung or, second and third a phec
ind fourth a bug
irgent ,_?].)
John Forster ^ Isabella (Kuffin)
Richard F. ^ Margaret, dau. of Will
Selman of Morton in
Staffordshire
Ml I
Anthony F. Thomas F., ^ Mary Gresley
Michael F. 3rd son
William F.
I
George F. ^ Elizabeth
I (Moreton)
Thomas F.,
living in 1613
Huntingdonshire Visitation, 1613.
The Shropshire Visitation of 1623 seems
to be wrong, where it differs from
the above pedigree.
Bodl. MS. Blakeway 5, fol. 252".
256
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. XXVIII.
Franc is.
FRANCIS
(Arms : — argent a chevron between three eagles displayed gules [?].)
Ralph Francis ^Elizabeth, dau. of John
I Babington
John Francis ^ Barbara, dau. of Sir John
I Port, Justice of the
Common Bench
Sir Edw. F. Willi
of Ticknall
Richard F.
F. = I. Havise (Verney)
=p 2. Elizabeth, dau. of
Will. Francis of
Ticknall : she
married 2.
Hastings Gres-
leyi
Sir Thomas Burdet =p Jane, heiress in 1635 both
I of her father William
and her uncle John
Bridget = Thomas Gresley
: I. Thomas
Bradshaw,
2. John Hill
John =
Francis
mark,
living in
1569: d.
: Jane
(Sacheverell)
g more children
Derbyshire Visitation, 1569 and 161 1
(.Genealogist, N.S., vii. 135").
Helsby's Ormerod's Cheshire iii. 297.
Harleian Soc. xxxix. 571.
See also Essex Visitation 1612 (Harl
Soc. xiii. 200).
Gaste-
neys.
GASTENEYS
See WASTENEYS
Pedigrees
257
GERNON
(Arms : — paly wavy of seven pieces gules and argent.)
Ped. XXIX.
Gernon.
William Gernon =p . . .
d. 1258 j
I. Eleanor =p Ralph G., =7^2. Hawisia (Tregoz)
dau. of Robert d. 1273-4
de Vere, Earl
of Oxford
1
1 1 1
1
1
l?illiamG.,=F...
Richard G.
John G.
Robert G
d. 1327
Alice = Robt. Baynard
Margaret = Robt. de
Verley
of Theydon
Gernon,
b. abt. 1270,
d. 1323
Sir John G.,= I. Isabella (Bagof)
b. abt. 1297, =p2. Alice (Coleville), whose
1334 mother was Margaret
3. Margaret (de Wigton),
d. 1349
Sir John G., Sir Geoffrey de Gresley = Margaret (?)
(Dotted lines indicate unproved but probable connexion.)
R. E. Chester Waters' Chester of
Chicheley (1878) i. 199.
Morant's Essex ii. 181.
The Greslcys of Drakclowc
Ped. XXX.
Giffard.
GIFFARD, of Chillin^rton
(Arms :
-quarterly first and fourth azure three stirrups with leathers i
ind one, second and third gules three lions passant argent.)
Edmund Giffard,^... (Venables)
occ. 1378
John G., ^ ...
occ. 1394 I
Thomas G.=p Joyce, dau. of Sir
I Robert P'rancis
Robert G. ^ i. Isabella .Blount), d. without
issue
=7=2. Cassandra, dau. of Thomas
Humphreston : she = 2.
John Brodoke, and d. 153I
Sir John G.:
Sir Thomas G. =p i. Dorothy
= 2. Ursula
(Throgmorton)
: I. Joan, dau. of The. Hoord
of Bridgnorth : she d.
: 2. Elizabeth Gresley (xv)
I I I
Cassandra = Hen. Frances =^ Sir John
Swinnerton I Talbot
Dorothys I. John I
Congreve, and =1 | |
2. Francis Shirley John T. Jane := Sir
George
Bowes
Reliquary xv. 7.
J. H. Smith's Brewood Chancel (1870),
p. 5 ; Brtwood, 2nd ed. (1874;,
Pedigrees
259
GRAMMER
Ped. XXXI.
Grammer.
(Arms :— gules billetty
lion rampant argent [?].)
Thomas Grammer, =p ? Mary,
of Bakewell,
d. 1685
d.
693
John Bagshaw, ^ t.
Grace (Bright")
of Hucklow, CO. Derb.,
2.
Elizabeth (Coates
brother of the' Apostle
of the Peak '
Thomas G., = (1684
■) Jane
JohnG., ^ Jane,
George Beau--]- Gertrude,
of Bakewell (Barker)
of Bakewell,
younger
mont
elder
d. 1709,
daughter
daughter
aged 61
William B.,
eldes
t chile
1 1 1 1 1
Ann
JohnG., T=Mary
Mary, b. 1686
ofPledwick 1
Jane, b. 1687
in Yorkshire
xxii
Sarah, b. 1692,
1 1 1
r.^- '^9\ .
Sir Thomas Gresley ^ (1739") Gertrude
Jane
Thomas, b. and
xK
Elizabeth
d. 1693
Sarah
(Dotted lines indicate unproved but probable connexion.)
Reliquary, O. S., iv. 98.
Harl. Soc. .xx.xvii. 246,
J. Foster's Yorkshire Pedi-
grees, vol. i. (Beaumont).
W. H. G. Bagshawe's Bag-
shawcs of Ford (1886;,
p. 96.
GRESLEY
See Pedigrees II-VII.
Gresley.
26o The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. xxxii.
Hales.
HALES, of Snitterfield
(Arms : — gules three broad arrows oi
'T'
III I
Christopher H., Bartholomew H.,t= Mary (Morrison Stephen
^... of Chesterford I or Harper)
John H., d. 1572 and Snitterfield
Sir Bartholomew H.,=p Katharine Gresley
of Chesterford and
Snitterfield : b. abt
1567 : occ. 1619
Elizabeth
Bridget
Marie
Thomas
Henry
Warwickshire Visitation, 1619.
CoUins's Baronetage (1741), iii. 165.
Pedigrees
261
HARPUR, of Swarkston
Ped.XXXIII.
Harpur.
-per bend sinister argent and sable a lion rampant counterchanged
within a bordure gobonatod or and gules.)
Sir Richard Harpur, ^Jane (Findern)
Justice of the Common
Pleas : benefactor to
Brasenose College,
Oxford : d. 157J
Sir John H.,-ri. Isabel (Pierpoint)
d. 1627 I 2. Elizabeth (Novell,
d. without issue
I _
Sir Richard H., t Mary
of Littleover (Reresby)
1
xviii 1
1
1
1 i 1 II
SirRich.H.,=pi
.Katharine Others Sir He
nryH.,= Barbara Rich. H.=
p Elizabeth
George H.
d. 1619
(Gres'.ey : (see d.
1638 (Faunt,!,
^ Hacker)
Francis H.
1
see ped. II) below)
d. 1649:
Jane
widow of
Elizabeth
xviii
Sir Henry
Mary
= 2. Elizabeth 1 Gresley :
Beaumont,
see ped. VI)
mother of
Barbara who
= Sir John
Harpur, and
of Dorothy
who = Sir
Nicholas Wilmot
.S.J
5hn H.,
1 II 1 1
= Barbara Dorothy
Rich. H., Rev. John H.
-T- I. Mary
1 1
Henry H.
d. 1627, ■
(Beaumont), = Hen.
d. unm. Rector of
(Ballidon)
Joseph H.
without issue
who married Gilbert
Morley
2. SirWoI- Catharine
Stan Dixie = Sir
John (or
=P2. Mary (Gresley,
Roger)
1 XX : see ped. II)
Cooper
1
Isabel
nH.,=r Mary
1
Jane
Richard H. Joh
Dorothy
Henry H.
Elizabeth of Little- | (Walker)
Mary over |
Jo
y
-e
■\-
Note.— ^w Richard Harpur's other brothers and sisters were :— John = Dorothy Dethick :
George, William, Francis, and Thomas, who all died without issue : Winifred = John Browne :
Dorothy ^ John White : Jane =; Patrick Lowe : Isabella =z Sir Philip Sherard ; and Winifred,
who died without issue.
Cox's Derbyshire Churches ii. 4-5, iii. 5
Collins's Baronetage, 1741.
Noble's Glover's Derbyshire (1829),
pp. 184-6, c&C.
Nichols' Leicestershire iii. a, 885.
262
The Greskys of Drakcloiue
Fed. XXXIV.
Hastings.
HASTINGS
-argent a maunch sable [?].)
Sir Ralph de Hastings, =p
d. 1398 ^1 =i
I I
Margaret
1. Isabel (Sadyngton)
2. Maud (Sutton)
Sir Ralph de H., _ .
d. 1405 ^Elizabeth:
d. 1437 without
issue
Sir Rich, de H. Sir Leonard de H.,^ Alice, dau.
— Fi;,!,hpth- d. 1456 I of Lord
Camoys
Sir William de H., =p Catherine,
Richard H.,
= Joan, dau.
1
Sir Thomas =p Anne
Lord Hastings,
widow of Ld.
Lord Welles,
of Lord
Ferrers of
d. 1483
Harington, dau.
of the Earl of
Salisbury
d. 1503
Welles,
d. 1505
Sir Ralph
Tamworth
.iv — 1
Sir Thomas = Anne
Gresley
de H. ::pAnneiTat-
1 tershall;
i 1
Florence
1 1
Isabel
xiu 1 III
Sir John Gresley = Emma Anne
= Edw. Lord
= Sir John
= Sir Hum-
Grey of Wil-
Dive
phrey Elton
ton
Elizabeth (Anne,
Cecilia
Catherine
Maud ; = Sir
= Sir John
= Sir John
John Longue-
Harcourt
Norwich
ville
Alice ?
H. N. Bell's Huntingdon Peerage
(182OJ, p. 12.
Nichols' Leicestershire, iii. 608,
n. 7.
Collins' Peerage (1812), vi. 648.
Stcmmata Chicheleana (1765%
no. 24: Suppl. (1775), nos. 318,
351, 35=- 354-
Pedigrees
263
Fed. XXXV.
Heathcote.
HEATHCOTE
-ermine three pomeis each charged with a cross or.)
Michael Heathcote^ (1750) Rachel, dan. of Rich,
of Buxton, son of I Edensor : b. 1715, d. at
George: b. 1710, Balcewcll
1 xxi
Sir. lohn Edensor H.,=F Anne Gr
esley 1 James Justin Be
nt, M.D.=p Elizabeth
Kt.,of Langt
an Hall,
b. May 1 1
1755,
-K
Staffordshire
Sheriff
d. Sept.
1797
of that county, 1784;
d. Oct. 25,
1822
1 1 n
1
(order
XXV
doubtful)
Rich. Edensor H.,=j
pi. (1808) Emma
John, b. Jan.
Anne, b.
NigelWilL,
Selina
b. Oct. 25, 1780:
Sophia .Gres-
29, 1782 :
War. 20,
b. Dec. 16,
= John
M.P. for Coventry
ley i, d. 1813
deaf and
1783, d.
1786,=
Fenton
1826, and Stoke
2. (1815 Lady
dumb : =
May 7,
... (Mat-
Caroline
upon Trent 1835 :
Elizabeth
Emma
1786
thews i,d.
= Col.
d. at Geneva,
Keith (Lind-
Tudor and
Louisa
without
Stisted
May 28, 1850
say), d. 1825 :
liad8
Wilmot,
issue
Frances
she had 2
children, of
b. June
Henry, b.
=Dr.Rich.
daughters,
whom the
12, 1784,
Dec. 31,
Bent, her
Elizabeth
7th, Caroline
= Alex.
1787:
1st cousin
Keitli.d. 1819,
Lechmere =
Carroll
Major in
Charles,
and Eliz. Anne
the late
Maria, b.
the Army:
deaf and
who = Rev.
Henry
Aug. 3i>
d. 1829
dumb, b.
E. J. Edwards
Cohen.Esq.,
1785
without
Sept. 1797
and had issue*
and has
issue
3. Susanna
issue
tCooper, : she
had 3 chil-
dren, George.
William, and
Michaul Eden-
sor
1
John Edcns
or H - Marianna
.Anna'Mat
ia, Nigel Thomas Edensor,
d. without
issue
Sandford)
d. 1824
in
R. Navy: d.
unm.
Family Notebooks.
Information from E. D. Heathcote,
Esq., 1898.
One son was the James Edwards mentioned on p. 153.
264
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Ped. XXXVI.
Inge.
INGE, of Thorpe Constantine
(Arms : — or on a chevron vert three leopards' faces of the first.)
Elizabeth
Jane
Millicent
Richard Inge,^ i. Jane, or Susannah (Ives), who
of Leicester I brought Thorpe Constantine
2. Mary (, Watts)
William I.,^ i. Elizabeth (Ashby\ who had a :
d. 1662 William, who d. young
=p 2. Elizabeth (Tunsted^, d. 1655
I 3. Martha (Ruding)
William I., --
Sheriff of Staffs.,
d. l6go
: Frances (Gresley), Thomas I. Rev. Nathaniel |
d. 1712 Richard I. Selleck =Susan
I., =p Elizabeth
b 1669,
d. 1731 :
M.P. for
Tamworth,
(Ph
d.
Hips)
1728
antiquary
John I.
I
Richard I., -7- Elizabeth
Rector of (Mugeston)
Nether
Seile, d.
1748
Dyott
Susanna
Bridget
Elizabeth
Martha
Mary
Frances, d. Theodore Will. I., =j= Henrietta
Willi;
without issue
Elizabeth
= J.Fal-
l,Wrottesley),
1790
I I I
Frances William I.,^ Ann Henrietta
d. 1785 (Hall),
Ml I
Frances Will. Phillips I..
Henrietta b. 1773, d. 1838
Lady Elizabeth
Stewart, dau.
of the Earl of
Galloway
Lt.-Col. Will,
d. 1870
I
Rev. George I.,
Fell, of All
Souls Coll.,
Oxford: d. 1881
I ' I I
Charles I.,
Lt.-Col.,
d. 1874
Harriet
Susan
Rector of
Thorpe : b.
1722, d.
1807
I
: Elizabeth Others
(Fowler)
Elizabeth
— Rev. John
Oldershaw
William I.
Rev. Charles I.
Richard L,
d. 1841
■ Mary
(Fowler)
1 1 1
1
~
Mary = R
ev. Rev. Charles I., =F Mary
H. Older- d. 1858
Anne
Shaw
(Older-
Elizabeth
shaw)
Harriet
Anne
1 1 1
Sophia Eliza-
1
Rev. Will. L,=p Susanna
beth
Provost of
Mary
Mary Louisa
Wore Coll.,
(Churton)
=T.M.How
Oxford
Harriet = A.
,
,
Hinckley
1 1 1 1
Charles Henry I. = H. (Gifford)
Rev. Tho. Lester I.
John Walter I.
Rev. F. G. I. = Cath. (Spooner)
Shaw's Staffordshire i. 409.
Burke's Landed Gentry (1846) i. 633.
Manuscript pedigree in the hands of the Provost
of Worcester College, 0.\ford.
Pedik
265
LEE, or LEES, of Ladyhole
(Arms : — azure three ducal coronets or a border argent.)
Alkmond Lee ^ Anne (Mellor)
John L., =p Bennet (Ashton),
purchased Lady- d. 1664
hole, 1618
John L. =p Elizabeth, dau. of William L. Mary
Geo. Gregson Humphrey L. Frances
Henry L. Bennet =. George
Allsopp
William L.
John L.
Walter L.
George L.
Thomas Gresley =p Elizabeth
I
Papers at Drakelovve,
Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 6104.
Fed.
XXXVIL
266
The Greslcys of Drakeloivc
Ped.
XXXVIII.
Leigh.
LEIGH, of West-Hall
(Arms : — or a lion rampant gules.)
Egerton Lcigli =p Ann (Yates)
1
Pete
rL.
"T
Mary fDo
ghty ,
1
Egerton L.
1 1
An
1
d.
Via
of Broad
veil,
Thomas L.
Mn
rv
CO. Glo
uc.
Hamlet L.
Eli
zabcth
I I III I M
Peter L., Egerton L., =F(i778 Elizabeth The. Hodges L. Mary
d. young, of West-Hall Uodrell), d. Peter Neve L. Anne
in 1750 and Twemlow, 1807 Timothy L. Elizabeth
I III h : I
Egerton L., ^(1809) Wilhclmina. dau. of Peter L. Emma
b. Aug. 23, 1779, I George Stratton, Esq , Jodrell L. Augusta
d. Oct. 5, 1865 ofTew, CO, Oxon. : she Mary Anne Caroline
d. Nov. 24, 1849 Charlotte Harriet
Egerton L.,^ (1842) Lydia
b. March 7, I Rachel .Wright)
1815 I
I I i I '^'^v I
Eleanor Agnes, Charles Gresley ^ Augusta
b. Apr. 17, (see ped. VII;
181 1, d. unm.
Nov. 20, 1837
Anna Elizabeth,
b. Apr. 26,
Beatrice Julia
Caroline
Emma
Helsby's Ormerod's Cheshi
i- 436-7-
Pedigrees
267
LEVETT
(Arms : — argent a lion rampant between three crosses crosslet fitchy
sable, a bordure engrailed azure charged with four crosses crosslet
fitchy and four fleurs-de-lys alternately or.)
Theophilus Levett =p Mary (Babington)
Pen.
XXXIX.
Levett.
Thomas L.,=j
of Wichnor
Park
= (1762:) Catherine,
dau. of Charles
Floyer and
Susanna ^Willington)
Richard L.
An'ne
Rev. Thorn;
d. without
1843
Vilmot Maria
(Gresley)
Burke's Landed Gentry (1816; i. 725.
LONGFORD
See STAFFORD II
Longford.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. XL.
Madan.
MADAN
(Arms : — sable a falcon or preying on a duck argent, on a chief of
the second a cross botonny gules)
Spencer IVIadan, D.D., Chaplain =pi. Lady Charlotte (Corn-
in Ordinary to the King,
Bp. of Bristol and of
Peterborough, b. 1727 or '28 :
son of Col. Martin Madan,
M.P., and Judith (Cowper)
aunt of the poet : Spencer
d. 1813
wallis), dau. of the
first Earl Cornwallis :
she d. 1794
= 2. Mary(Vyse), who
d. without issue 1827
I
Spencer M., D.D., ^(1791) Henrietta
Vicarof St. Philip'
Birmingham, Rector
of Ibstock Canon of
Lichfield: b. Aug. 25,
1758, d. Oct. 9, 1836
(Ingel, see ped.
XXXVI: b. 1745,
d. 1816
I
William Charles M.
— Frances (Falconer)
he d. 1830, without
issue
Major-Gen. ^Charlotte
George Warde, I d. 1832
d. 1830 I
Spencer M.,
Vicar of Bath
Easton,
Canon of
Lichfield :
b. Oct. 6,
1791. d.
Aug. 27,
1851
XXV
Elizabeth
(Gresley),
WilliLi'iT.,b.
M Mi
Charlotte, b. 1794,
1793, d. 1824
Frederick M., b.
d. 1825
Henrietta Anne,
1797: Elder
Bro. of the
b. 1795, d. 1829 :
=Hon. James H.
Trinity House:
Keith Stewart,
d. 1863: ^1.
and had issue
( 1832) Harriet
Penelope Frances,
(Graham), and
b. 1802. d. 1868,
had issue : =
= P.St. L.Gren-
2. 1852) Cath-
fell, and died
erine^Stewart)
Charles M., b.
without issue
Maria, b 1804, d.
1798, d. 1818
Henry M., b.
1858
(George M. «^)
George M.,:
b. 1807 :
Vicar of
Cam, & St.
Mary Red-
cUffe at
Bristol,
Rector of
Dursley,
Hon.
Canon of
Gloucester
and Bristol
Cathedrals:
Mary Judith, b.
I8i3,d. 1872,=
Arthur Stewart,
and had issue
; (1837 , Harriet
(Gresley),
b. 1813
(see ped. VII)
I ! I I II
Spencer M.,
1827, d. 1829
Louisa Mary,
1828, d. 1857
HenriettaFrances,
b. 1830, d. 1857
Charlotte, b. 1831
Spencer M., b
1832, Rector o
Standon.d. 1869
= Fanny vSalt)
and had issue
William M., b
i834,Capt. intht
Army. d. 1871,=
Georgina (Cros
by), and had issue
II II
Charles M., b. 1836,
R. N. ^Midship-
man), d. 1854.
Martin M., b. 1838.
Nigel M., b. 1840,
Hon. Canon of
Southwell Cathe-
dral, = (1883)
Elizabeth Hen-
rietta, dau. of the
Hon. H. E. J.
Howard, Dean of
Lichfield. Nigel
is K' ector of West
Hallam, Derby-
shire
Penelope Maria, b.
1844
I I I I
Henry George M.,
b. 1838 : .Senior
Fellow of Oueen's
Coll., Oxford
James Russell M.,
b. 1841 : Priest in
the Roman Catho-
lic Church
Mary, b. 1844
Arthur Cornwallis
M., b. 1846 : Stu-
dent of Ch. Ch.,
Oxford : at Zanzi-
bar
M I
William Nigel M.,
b. 1848: retired
Commander.R.N.:
now at Elswick :
= (1887) Theresa
Marie Euphemia
(Robeson), and
has issue
Falconer M., b.
185 1 : Fellow of
Brasen. Coll., Ox-
ford : = (1885)
Frances J. (Hay-
ter), and has issue
Edith Harriet, b.
1855
Pedigrees
269
MARLBOROUGH
See SPENCER-CHURCHILL
Marl,
borough.
MILWARD
(Arms : — ermine on a fess gules three plates.)
Ped. XLI.
Milward.
William Milward, ^ Ann (Kniveton)
of Eaton, co. I
Derby |
Robert M. =^ Alicia (Savage)
I
Robert M. =^ Margery (Dethick), Henry M. ^ ...
I see ped. XXII
William M. cp Katharine (Fleetwood) John M. =j= ,
Sir Thomas M., =p ... (Beresford) John M.
Puisne Justice of
the County
Palatine of
Chester, 1638-47
I ^^^ I
Robert M., =p Dorothy (Gresley), John M., = ... Sir Hen. = Fc
d. 1632 who = 2. Dr. (Whitehalgh) Agard
Edw. Wilmot
Sir John Bowyer, ;= Mary
see ped. XV
Derbyshire Visitation, 1662-3.
Derbyshire Pedigrees, a MS. owned by
S. P. Wolferstan, Esq.
Harl. Soc. xxxviii. 577.
270 TJic Grcslcys of Drakelowe
Ped. xlii.
Mcntford.
MONTFORD
(Arms : — bendj' of six or and azure.)
Sir Baldwin Mcntford, ^ Joan, sister of Sir
of Coleshill I Richard Vernon
Sir Simon M., =r Anne. dau. of Robert M. Richard M. 3 daughters
executed 1494 Sir Rich. Verney, Thomas M. William M.
of Compton
I I I xiv I I I
John M. := Anne, dau. of Anne Thomas M., =f= Elizabeth, Mary = Rich.
Sir Rich. Har- =: Thomas occ. 1491-
court (widow Strange
of Henry
Lord Saye)
of Burdet
Sir John William M.
Gresley Henry M.
Anna (Longford)
Jocosa (Ruggeley)
Visitations of Warwickshire and Essex.
Dugdale's Warwickshire, and ed. 1.1765),
P- 715-
Pedigrees
271
MONTGOMERY
(Arms : — or an eagle displayed gules.)
Ped. XLIII.
Mont-
gomery.
William de Montgomery,
occ. 1249
Sir Will, dc M.,=p.
Will. deM.,= Alice, Sir Walter de M. ?=p i. ... Anna? =
d. without occ. 1332 d. 1323 vii Sir John
issue, 1324 2. Johanna 'Gresley, Swynner-
ncc Stafford) ton. who
S
1 occ. 1310
1 1
r Walter de M., =F Matilda Will, de M., =: Philippa
'consanguineLiset
killed 1323
heres Willelmi '
de M. : occ.
1339-68
Sir Nicholas de M., =F Eleanor Sir John Fitzherbert= Margaret
occ. 1386-7
Sir I
: d. 1435 1 (Chevesey)
Nicholas M., =F Johanna, dau. of Roger M.,
d. 1494 j Sir Nich. Longford occ. 1394-5
1 ^^ III II
I. Sir John M.=F Elizabeth = 2. Sir John Ralph, Isabel = Hen. Ann
^Gresley) Giffard d. without Sacheverell = Lewis
issue before Margaret or Bagot
his brother Joan = John Katherine
Kniveton, of = Will.
Mercaston Bowden
rothv^FSir Tho. Giffard, who
Ellen = Sir John Vernon Do
Ann = John Browne, = 2. Ursula Throg-
ofSnelston morton
Sir John Port, ^ Elizabeth,
of Etwall,
who prede-
founder of
ceased her
Repton School
husband
and Hospital
in 1556, by his
Will
1 1
Walter
Thomas
I I I
., J Elizabeth )
"'<^>'™"f D„„thy alive in 1556
Margaret J
Reliquary xv. 7.
Cox's Derb. Churches iii. 91.
R. Bigsby's Repton (1854), Hist. p. 103.
272 The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. xliv.
More.
MORE, of Larden
(Arms : — sable a swan close argent within a bordure engrailed or.)
Edward More t= Elizabeth (Cludd)
John M. Thomas M. =j= Margaret William M.
(Cressett) Richard or Robert M.
I I m m
Jasper M. -p Eliza, dau. of Richard M. Jane
b. 1547, I Nicholas Smalley Edward M. Mary
d. 1613 Charles M. Elinor
m i ^^i TTTTi
Richard M. Joan =p John Gresley Elinor
John M. 1 Elizabeth
Walter IH. 4, Bridget
Worcestershire Katherine
and Bristol Mary
Gresleys
(see p. 135)
Shropshire Visitation, 1623.
Pedig}-ees
273
MOREWOOD
(Arms : — vert a tree argent fruited or.)
Fed. XLV.
More-
wood.
Rowland Morewood =p Catherine (Stafford)
!
John M., =p Grace Anthony M.^ Frances 4 sons Gilbert M., =p Frances
d. 1647 (Hurst), I (Redhill) 8 daugh- bapt. Dec. (Salmon)
d. 1647 ters 21.1586:
Will dated
I May ir,
I I I '^30
Rowland M., :p ... Rowland M., Anthony M., =p ...
b. 1613, bapt. July twin with I
d. 1658 I 16, 1615 : Rowland
^ d. 1647 I
4 daughters
Sir Thomas Rich = Barbara Sin
I ^^ 1
Bennet = Grace Sir Thomas =: Frances
Gresley
Harleian Sec. x.Kxix. 1062-4.
Hunter's Hallamshire (1819), 274.
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Fed. XLVI.
Mulsho.
MULSHO, of Findern
(Arms :— ermine on a bend sable three g:oat3' heads erased of the first
horned and bearded or.)
John Moulshoe ^ .
or Mulsho, of I
Goldington
John M., :
d. 1399-1400
John M. ^ Alice
John M., ::p ...
of Findern I
John M.,=pElizabeth ;Stukcley)
d. 1535-6 I
Robert M. ^ Eleanor (Cotton) Sir Geo. Gresley cp Margaret
Thomas M. ^ Margery (Digby) \.
Bridges' Northamptonshire.
Oakeley.
OAKELEY
See WALCOT
Ottley.
OTTLEY
5.V WAI.COT
Pedigrees
275
REID
5ft' WALCOT
Reid.
SOMERSET
(Arms :— argent on a fess France and England quarterly within
compony argent and azure. j
Ped, XLVII.
Somerset,
Charles Somerset, :
Earl of Worcester,
d. 1526
Henry S., =pi. Margaret,
~ • "" oftheEa
Earl of W.
d. 1548
Devonshire
(Courtenay)
Elizabeth
Sir Char
Kt.
1. (1492') Elizabeth, dau. of the Earl
of Huntingdon (Herbert'
2. Elizabeth, dau. of Lord Delawarr
(West)
3. Eleanor, dau. of Lord Dudley:
she d. without issue
Sir George S.,-p Mary
)f Lord Grey
Sir Tho. of Wilton
Bowles
: Elizabeth
(,Gresley)
Edw. Barret ;= An
George
Doyle's Baronage.
Collins' Peerage 1^1
276
The Grcsleys of Drakelozve
Ped. xi.viii.
Somervile.
SOMERVILE
(Arms : — azure three spread-eagles between nine crosses crosslet or :
probably at first the field was crusily.)
Cicely (de Lemesi),
Stockton
vvaiLcr -T-v^iLei^
de Somerville, of
occ. 1 1 65
oger -p
i., 00c.
190
Roger ^ Edelina, dau. of Robt.
de S., 00c. I Boteler, of Ingleby
1190
Roger de S
of Stockton, CO.
Warwick : d.
or bef. 1 201
= Mau
1. Coss
n Leic,
I '■
Maud, Lady of
ossington, co.
probably
Ralph Griin = Idonea
Geoffrey =: Margaret
de Gresley
Roger de S. :
under age in
East. T. 1220
dc Berkeston =; Elizabeth
John de S., =p.
d. i279-8(
Sir Robert
deS
d. 1296-7
[obert =p
, Kt,
36-7
Isabel (de Merlay)
Joan
SIX sons :
all died without
male issue
Salt Soc. iv. I. 14.
Bodl. MS. Dodsw. cxxii. p. 40.
Shaw's Staffordsh. i. 126.
Dugd. Warw. and ed. ii. 341.
Pedigrees
277
Ped. XLIX.
Southwell.
SOUTHWELL
(Arms : — argent three cinquefoils gules each charged with six annulets or [!].)
Francis Southwell =^ Dorothy (Tendring)
Sir Richard S. =p i. Thomasine, dau. of Sir thr
^1 Robt. Darcy, of Dan-
I bury, CO. Essex
I ^ 2. Mary, dau. of Thomas
Elizabeth \ Darcy, of Danbury :
= George ? but all her children
Heneage 5 were born before
\ marriage
Richard S.
^ Bridget
\. (Copley)
Thomas S., d.
1609, unm.,
aged 60
Katherine
-Thomas
Audley :
shed.
1611,
aged 79
Mary, =
d. without
issue,
: r. Henry, son of Sir
Thomas Paston
2. (15731 Will. Drury,
LL.D., d. 1589
3. (1592) Robt. Forde,
D.C.L.,d. 1595
xvii
4. Sir Thomas Gresley
Dorothy
Norfolk Visitation, 1563.
Brit. Mus. MS Harl. 1552, fol. .)8.
Jos. Edmondson's Baronagium
Gencalogicum, vi, fol. 33.
278
The Gresleys of Dmkelozue
Ped. l.
Spencer-
Churchill,
Dukes of
Marl-
borough.
SPENCER-CHURCHILL
(Arms :— quarterly ist and 4th sable a lion rampant argent on the canton
of the last a cross gules : 2nd and 3rd quarterly argent and gules, in
the 2nd and 3rd a fret or : over all on a bend sable three escallops of
the first {/or Spencer : in chief an escutcheon of pretence argent
charged with the cross of St. George gules, on an inescutcheon azure
three fleurs-de-lys or.)
George Spencer-Churchill, ^ (1791^ Susan (Stewart), dau. of
5th Duke of Marlborough, John, 7th Earl of Galloway:
b. 1766, d. 1840 she d. 1841
1
George S.-C,
6th Duke of Marl-
borough, b. 1793,
d. 1857
I. (1819' J.ine Stewart"),
dau. of George, 8th
Earl of Galloway :
she d. 1844
=p 2. (1846I Charlotte
Augusta (Flower'i,
I dau. of Viscount
,(^ Ashbrook : she d.
1850
=P3. I'lSji") Jane Frances
Clinton Stew'art),
first cousin of Jane
Stewart above
John Winston S.-C, =p [1843^ Frances A. E. Vane-
7th Duke of Marl- 1 Stewart . dau. of the
borough, b. 1822, Marquess of Londonderry :
d. 1883 she d. 1899
daughter
George Charles S.-C, -
r I. (1869) Albertha F. A.
Lord
3 sons
8th Duke of Marl-
{Hamilton , dau. of
Randolph
6 daughters
borough, b. May 13,
the Duke of Aber-
Churchill,
1844, d. Nov. 9, 1B92
corn
b. 1849,
2. (1888 1 Jane Lilian
d. 1895
Warren Price\
widow of Lewis
Hamersley : she =
2. Lord William
Beresford, V.C.
xxvU 1
1
1 1
Sir Robert =p Frances
Charles Richard:
p (1895) Consuelo,
Lilian Maud, b.
Gresley Louisa,
John S.-C. 9th
dau.
ofW. K.
July 9, 1873:
b. Sept. I
5, Duke of Marl-
Vanderbilt. Esq.,
marr. (1898)
1870
borough, b. Nov.
ofN
ew York
C. A. Gren-
^
13, 1871
John Albe
fell, Esq.
Norah Beatrice
Harriette, b.
Sept. I, 1875
rt Edward
Ivor Charles
William S -C,
S.-C.
Marquis of Blandford,
b. 1898
b. 1
897
Pedigrees
279
Ralph ii de To
STAFFORD, I, II
chevron gules between three martlets sable.)
Godehildis
Roger i de Toe
(see ped. I)
:Avice, dau. of Richard
Fitz-Gilbert, Lord
of Clare
Ped LI.
Stafford
Robert dc S., =p Av
d. abt. 1 176
Nigel de Stafford ^ ...
(see below) |
A-
Gresley family
(ped. II)
I I
Robert, Nicholas,
both d. without issue
I
Hervey Bagot, ^ Millicent
afterw. Lord Stafford I
Hervey de Stafford, ^ Petronilla, sister of
d. 1237 I William de Ferrers,
I Earl of Derby
Barons and Earls
of Stafford
William ^Alditha (Vernon)
de Stafford 1
Staffords of Sandon,
Gralton and Southwick
(see next pedigree but one)
(Longford arms : — paly of six or and gules, over all a bend argent.)
Nigel de Stafford :
(see above)
Fed. LII.
Stafford
(Longford)
William fitz Nigel ^.
de Gresley ,i),
occ. 1 129 : prob.
Gresley
family
(ped. II)
Nicholas fitz Nigel :
de Longford, dead
in 1 166
sd hi:
Simon Nigel de ^ Cecilia Rogerus := Felicia
William, Bubinton, I (Hathersedge) Duredent
occ. 1 166 or Longford,
170
Nigel de ^ ...
Longford
Ohver fitz Nigel ^ Avicia, or Agnes
de Longford, I .Horbury ?) who
occ. 1 193. dead | survived him
in I2Q7 -^
28o
The Greslcys of Drakelozve
Fed. LIII.
Stafford
STAFFORD, III
Hervey Bagot =F Millicent (de Stafford)
Hervey de Stafford, =pPetronilIa (de
Lord Stafford, Ferrers)
d. 1237
Sir Will, de Stafrord,=pAIditha (Vernon)
Kt., of Broomshull,
occ. 1251-3
HervevdeS., Robert de S.,=f Alice Sir Will. de^^Ermentrude Sir Robert ^Gundreda,
Lord S., d. Lord S., d. 1 Corbet) S., Kt. , (Fitz- de S., Kt. d. abt.
1241 128a Walkelin)
Nicholas de S., =F Alianora, Sir Will, de S. ;
Lord S., d. dau. of Lord Kt.
abt. 1293 Clinton
Edmund de S., ^ Margaret, dau.
Lords., I of Lord Basset
I I I
Ralph deS.,T= Margaret, Rich, de S., Mary
Earl of dau. of Lord S., = Sir
>., d. 137a Lord d. 1381 ' James
Audley de S.
Isabella, Sir Peter =p Joanna
occ. de Gresley, I
1309 Kt. 1
^11 III
Ermentrude
= Robt.
Towke
Elizabeth
= WiIl. de
Reyna
= Tho. de
KoUeston
Ida
= James de
Eccleshall
Agnes
- Tho. de
Walsing-
ham
Hugh de .S., Margaret =pSir John de S.
Earl of S., 4.
Sir James de S.=pMary, dau, of
I Edmund Lord
Stafford
Thomas Erdeswick = Margaret
[The above is a working pedigree, but not all proved. The following authorities are some
which may be compared, but will be found to differ considerably :— Dugdale's Baronage i. 172:
Staffordshire Visitations in Salt Soc. v. 2. 251 : John Campbell's Stafford Peerage (1818) :
Lysons' Derbyshire, p. 156 : Erdeswick's Staffordshire, ed. Harwood, pp. 45-6 : cf. Salt Soc. ii.
I. 273, V. I. 62, ix. I. 20 : Cox's Derbyshire Churches iii. 211 sqq. For Longford, see Metcalfe's
Derbyshire pedigrees (Genealogist N.S. viii. 17) : Chetham Soc. xlii. 113 : Thoroton's Nurthants
(1790) iii. 145,61.
Pedigrees
281
STANLEY and ARDERNE
(Stanley arms :— quarterly ist and 4th argent on a bend vert three bucks'
heads caboshed or, 2nd and 3rd azure on a chief indented argent three
plates.
Arderne arms : — argent a fess chequy or and azure [?].)
Sir John de =
Arderne of
Elford, d.
abt. 1316
: Margaret
(Griffin)
I others |
Sir William Stanley =p. I oan rde SirJohn=p Alice Will, de ^Cecilia
Bamvilej de A. I (Venables) Wasteneys
Ped. LIV.
Stanley
and
Arderne.
Sir John S.
Mabel
(Hausket)
■(1375") Alice
(? : IVIassey)
John dc A., =^ i. Joan (de Stokeport)
J- '349 T^2- Elena (de Wastene3'S
) his cousin, who sur
\ vived him)
Sir Thomas =p Matilda
(Stafford)
ir i nomas -p
deA., (
d. 1391
Sir John S. =7= Isabel
(Lathom)
Sir John de A., -j- Margaret
b. abt. 1370, d.
July 16, 1408
Sir John S.
I I
: Isabel Alice = i. Sir Sir Thomas =pj
(Harington) Tho. Dutton, Stanley,
(Pilkington),
who survived
him
2. Sir John
Wotton
d. May 13,
1463
Matilda(deArderne),
sole heiress : b.
July 2, 1396
...(.by whom he had
a son George, who
married Eleanor
Dudley)
Sir John S.,=;i. Cecilia (de Arderne)
b. abt. 1423 :
d. 1474?
2. Matilda, dau. of Sii
Rich. Vernon : see
pedigree LXII
3. Anne (Hansacrel,
widow of Sir Will.
Norrcys
xiii I
Sir John = Anne
Gresley
John S.,
: Elizabeth
(Vernon)
(seeped. LXII)
II II
John, Margery John Ferrers, =: Maude Anne
1. young :::; Will. Staunton of Tam worth =:Christoplu
(see ped. XXVI) Savage
Edw. Richardson's Elford Church (Lond.,
1852, fol.).
John Seacombe's House of Stanley (Liver-
pool, abt. 1740, 4').
282
The Gresleys of Drakelowc
Ped. lv.
Strelley.
STRELLEY
(Arms : — paly of six argent and
[?]■)
Sir Robert Strelley =f= Isabel, sister of
of Strelley : d. Jan. Card. Kempe
7, 148I
Sir Nicholas S.,=FKatherine (West)
John S.,T=Sanche, dau. of Sir
d. 1491
dau. of Rich.
d. Jan.
Rich. WiUoughby
Lord Delaware :
22, 150I
he d. 147S
Sir Nicholas = I. Gr,
ce, dau. of Simon
John S., Isabel = i. Clement Lowe
S., d. 1560-1 Digby, Lieut, of the
d. without 2. — Paynell
Tower: shed. with-
issue Margaret = John Powtrell
out issue
Elizabeth = Will. Ascough
2. Ellen (Gresley : xv),
Anne = i. Rich. Stan-
d. without issue
hope
3. Elizabeth, dau. of Sir
2. Sir John Mark-
Jo
hn Spence
ham
Manuscript Pedigree of Strelley, owned in 1852 by
James Thomas Edge, Esq., of Strelley.
Thoroton's Northants (1677;, p. 330,
Stukeley.
STUKELEY
See VAVASOUR
Pedigrees
283
Suttcn,
Lcrd
Dudley.
SUTTON
(Arms : — or a lion rampant vert.)
John de Sutton, ^Constance, dau. of
Lord Dudley, I Sir Walter Blount
d. 1406
John S, =p Elizabeth, dau. of Sir
Lord D., I John Berkeley
d. 1487
Sir Edmund S., ^
= I. Joyce, dau. of John
d. shortly before
Lord Tiptoft
1487
=i=2. Maud, dau. of Thomas
1 Lord Clifford
-f
Edwards.. =r Cicely, dau. of Sir other
Lord D., K.G., William Willoughby children
d. Jan. 31,
153}
! M 1 1 M 1 1 1 1 "v 1
1 1 1
John S. , =F Cicely, dau. of Edward S. Sir George ^ Katherinc
Elizabeth
Lord D.,
Thomas Grey, William S. Gresley
Joyce
d. 1553
Marquis of Constance .f
Dorset Thomas S.
k Arthur S.
Dorothy
George (?) S.
Geofl'rey S.
Eleanor
Margaret
Jane
284
The Gresleys of Drakelozve
Ped. lvii.
Swynner-
ton.
SWYNNERTON
(Arms : — argent a cross fleury sable.)
John de S.,:
occ. 1283-4
Stephen de Svvynnerton, ^ ...
of Usellwall, occ. 1276 I
Sir Roge
e S.,T= Joan (de
c. 1278 : d. Harstang?)
abt. 1298
I I I I
John de S., Sir Koger=p Matilda Sir John de S., = Anna de Richa
occ. 1323
de
S.
who abducted
Mont- Nicholas
Johanna de
gomcry) Stephen
Gresley in
abt. 1310
Sir Roger = Mat
Ida
Sir Thomas = Matilda (de
Robert de S.
de S , d.
deS.,d.
Holand;
Richard de S.
without
1361
Humphrey de S.
issue bef.
his father
Ix
Sir John =pAlice
de Gresley |
-f
(The precise place of Alice in this pedigree is not yet certain.)
2. 24, cf. 41, 91.
Pedigrees
285
Fed. LVIII.
Thorp.
THORP
Rev. Thomas Thorp, =
incumbent of
Gaddesby abt. 1626
Thomas T., b. Feb. 3,;
1754: of Thringston,
Sheepshead, of Bur-
leigh House near
Loughborough, and
of Over Seile : he es-
tablished the Bank at
Loughborough : d.
Jan. 15, 1840 : buried
at Nether Seile
. Mary (Bentley), of
Sheepshead
. IVIary (Flavel), widow
of Thomas Willces,
of Over Seile : she
Josiah T.
Robert T.
d. without issue
Rev. Thomas T., =^ Frances Topp
of Burton Overy (Lee)
xxiv I
Rev. William Gresley=^Mary
I I I
Thomas T., in
the Navy, d.
young
William T.
Robert T., in
Holy Orders
I I i
John T., in
the Army
Charles T.,
in New
Zealand
Henry T.
Frederick T.
Frances Topp
Mary ^ Russell
Kendal, see
p. 152
Manuscript pedigree, dated Jan. 21, 1843.
TOENI
Sec Pedigree L
Ped. LIX.
Tcplis and
Wilcock-
son.
The Greslcys of Drakelowe
TOPLIS and WILCOCKSON
Robert Toplis, ^ iieas) Dorothy, widow
of Coldbrook
in Ashleyhey,
tanner
of T. Wingfield
John T.,
of Wirksworth,
: Mary (Mellor)
I I
Robert T., ^ Sarah Dorothy W. Wilst
of Wirksw., I (Frauncis)
tanner: d.
abt. 1738 (S'
I I
i:==Mary John ^Elizabeth
I Wilcockson I
Ruth
e below)
I >"=« I
John T.,=p (1739) Mary, ^2. John John W., whose Rich. =pFrances,
dau. Ruth= Wright,
James Older- d. 1770
shaw
John = I. his
first cousin Ruth
Wilson, 2. a dis-
tant relative Ann
Toplis, who d.
without issue
d. April 12,
dau. of Hen.
Gresley,
1745: of
Bradley, of
as his
Wirksw.,
Woodhead.
second
tanner
She d. Sept.
4, 1766, aged
wife
50
f
Mary, d.
1
Sarah Ellen,
mm. Apr.
d. unm. May
23, i8i3.
12, 1826,
aged 72
aged 81
I
Richard W. (d.
Oct. 14, 1786),
an eminent
physician. Fellow
of Emman. Coll.
Camb., F.R.S., &c
John ^ Dorothy
Gresley |
Manuscript pedigrees and notes.
Pedigrees
Ped. lx.
Tra£ford.
TRAFFORD
(Arms : — argent a griffin segreant gules.)
William Trafford, ^ Sarah vHomcrslcy)
d. i62f I
William T., T^Mary (Bagnald),
of Svvythamley, d. Feb. 169J
d. 1697, aged
William T., Philip T., = Elizabeth (Gresley), 2 sons 7 daughters
d. young bapt. April bur. Oct. 8. 1674,
23) 1645, at Macclesfield
at Leek :
bur. May
16, 1676,
at Mac-
clesfield
Information from W. H. B. Bird, Esq.,
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. lxi.
Vavasour
and
Stukeley.
VAVASOUR and STUKELEY
(Vavasour arms : — or a fess dancetty sable.)
(Stukeley arms :— sable on a fess argent three mullets of the field.)
Dr. William Stukeley,
the antiquary, b. Nov.
7, 1687, d. March
3. 1765
Thomas
Hippon
Vavasour^...
Richard Fleming
(Willian
son)
Frances,
b. July
14, 1729
John Francis Seymour St. John, ^ Frances
preb. of Worcester
Walter v., =pi
d. 1846 I i
... (Dawson)
Charlotte
(Herbert)
1 1 1
Thomas V.
MarmadukeV.,=
p Mary Ann
John V.
b. March 14,
Nov. 6, 17
Mary, the
1798; M.A.,
married
youngest
Curate of
Severn-St
child, =
Severn-Stoke,
Oct. 19, I
John H.
and of Broad-
Ashworth
well, Vicar of
Ashby de la
Zouch
John Morewood Gresley.-r- Penelope, b.
see ped. VU | Aug. 12,
4^ 1827
nil
III
John St. John v.,
MarmadukeWalter
b. Dec. 27, 1828,
V, b. Sept. 30,
d. in mfancy
1833
Frances Barbara,
Augusta Sophia, b.
b. Feb. 8, 1830
Aug. 28, 1835
MaryAnne Eliza-
John Francis Stuke-
beth, b. May II,
ley v., b. Dec. 2,
1831
1837
Louisa Jane, b.
June 26. 1832
Papers of the Rev. J. M. Grcsley.
Pedigrees
VERNON, of Haddon Hall
(Arms :— argent a fret sable.)
Fed. LXII.
Verncn.
William de Vernon,^ r. Margaret (de Stokeport)
b. abt. 1312, I =2. Matilda i^Curzon)
occ. 1330
Sir Rich, de V., = i. Joan (Griffith),
d. 1377 d. 1368
-p 2. Juliana (Pembrugge)
Sir Rich, de V., =pJoan
b. 1368, I
d. 1401
Sir Baldwin Montfort ;= Joan ?, who was
perhaps dau. of the
and Sir Richard
Sir Rich, de V., =j
= Benedicta
Sir John Stanley,
= Matilda?
b. 1390,
(Ludlow)
d. 1474 CO
Treas. of Calais,
Speaker of the
House of Commons,
d. 1450
I I I
Sir Will, v., ^ Margaret Roger V. FulkV., Sir John Stanley, = Elizabeth.
d. 1467 (Swinfen) occ. 1446 d. 1508 occ. 1451-8
■ Will, v.,
Sir Henry v., ^ Anne
Knt. of the
Bath, b. 14
d-i5i5
(Talbot),
d. 1494
Richard V.
Joan
: Henry Foljambe
. -p margarec 1 nomas v. sir
I (Dymock) Humphrey V.
I III M
Sir Rich. V. =p Margaret Thomas V. Sir John V. =r Ellen (Mont- Benedicta,
gomery, who =: Sir
whose mother William
was a Gresley
Gresley) (xv)
^ Mary, who
present = Sir
Lords Vernon Edward
Aston
S. Rayner's Haddon Hall, 1836.
Reliquary, xxi, pi. xv.
Essex Visitation, 1612.
Information from the Hon. G. Wrottesley.
290
The Greslcys of Drakelowe
Prd. LXIII.
Vincent.
VINCENT, of Sheepy
-azure three quatrefoils argent.)
George Vincent, =
of Sheepy, d.
1707, aged 82
: Elizabeth (Tovey)
George V.,
Rector of
Sheepy,
Elizabeth (Haly),
d. 1721
1. v., =p Anne
174J I (Gregory),
d. 1739
other children
Silvester V., :
Rector of
Sheepy,
d. 1758
: (see below) other children
iVilliam v., T
p
I. (1729) Hannah
Nathaniel Whaley, = Elizabeth 0
b. 1686,
(Thompson)
D.D. chi
Rector of
^2. (I73t) Hannah,
Sheepy,
dau. of Edw.
d. 1740
Reynolds:she
= 2. Silvester
1
Vincent her
Richard v.,
first cousin.
b. 1730
and d. 1772
1
xxui 1
1
1
Villiam v.,
Thomas Gresley = Elizabeth,
Hannah,
a dau., d. in
b. '735,
b. 173=,
b- 1734,
infancy
d. 1737
d. 1769
d. unra. 1808
Nichols' Leicestershire iv, pt. 2, pp. 933-4.
Information from R. S. Boddington, Esq.
Pedigri
29 1
WALCOT and OTTLEY and OAKELEY and REID p^d. lxiv.
Walcot
(Walcot arms : — argent a bend [or, a chevron] between three chess
rooks ermine.
Ottley arms :— argent on a bend azure three oat-sheaves or.
Oakeley arms : — argent on a fesse between three crescents gules as
many tleurs-de lys or.
Reid arms :— argent an eagle displayed with two heads sable charged
on the breast with an escutcheon gules.)
Humphrey Walcot =p Alice, dau. of Rich. Halsey
and
Ottley
and
Oakeley
and
Reid.
Humphrey W. ^ Anne (Docwra)
Richard W. =p ? EUzatjeth (,Gresley)
Sir Tho. W. ^ ... John W.
i I
Humphrey W. Humphrey W.,
William W. b. 1633, M.P.
= I. Elizabeth
(Lucy)
=^2. Elizabeth
(Clarke)
Sir Samuel
Baldvvyn
Ann who had fir
Charles W. = Mary
(Barbara fis-) (Waring)
John W.
George W.
Thomas W.
Alice
Beatrice
Oakeley =^ Barbara, who
; 2. Sir Willi,
Gresley (xxi
Thomas Ottley,
of Pitchford,
b. 1650, d. 1695
Ml 1
i 1 1 1
1
xxii
Richard 0. William ^Catherine four
Mary =z Rev
Adam O., = Bridget (Gresley
John 0. 0. 1 ^Mostly) chil-
John Davies
b. 1685,
1 dren
Richard 0.
Thomas O.
LEetitia = .Sir
d. 1753
1
Rev. Will. 0.=p(i749) Christian
1
1 1
(Strachan), d.
Tho. 0.^ Catherine
Rev. Adam O.
1790
son
(Jenkin-
son)
d. 1798
Bridget, d.
.Sir Charles 0., = (i777) Helena
Bart., Governor (Beatson)
of Madras
Adam Ottley, b. 1745,
d. 1807, in whom the
GeorgeReid,*= Louisa, 4th dau..
male line of Ottleys of
Esq., of 5th child, out of
Pitchford, after 13
Jamaica : b. 13
generatio
13, ended
1777 : d. Ja
25, 1827
Georgina Ann, who
= the Rev. Sir Will.
Nigel Greeley (xxv)
* George Reid was descended from the Re
the richest commoners in England, from his
His mother was a Miss Myers, said to have beei
irCharics Reid, K.C.B.,
;inguished Indian officer.
Bodl. MS. 22,087 (Blakeway\foll. 210% 440-5.
Information from Lord Hawkesbury, who is
descended from an uncle of Catherine
Jenkinson, and whose grandfather was
adopted by the last Ottley as his heir.
Information from Lady Gresley.
ids of Collistown, Aberdeenshire. His father was one of
, Jamaica estates, and rented Watlington Hall in Norfolk,
n connected with the Portuguese Roj'al Family of Braganza.
U 2
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Ped. LXV.
Walsh.
WALSH, ofWanlip, co. Leicester
(Arms : — gules two bars argent over all a bend of the second.)
Roger le Walsh =p Maud, dau. and coheir of Henry
de Anlep (Wanlip)
Sir Will. leW.,T=.
Will. le W.,
clerk
Sirjohnle W.,=p.
occ. 1320-46 I
Sir Tliomas le W.,=p Katharine (Will
occ. 1392: dated 1421)
d. bef. 1421
Sir Will, le W., John le W., =
occ. 1421 : Isabella (Grey):
d. without issue d. without
issue
Thomas,
occ. 1 42 1,
and insane,
1439
Sir Thomas^ Margaret Elizabeth, Richard^ Elinor
deGresley =SirJohn le W., (Waldeife)
I Boyvill bef. occ.
4v 1422 1431-50
Katherine
occ. 1421
Nichols' Leic. iii. iioo, corrected by the Will
of Lady Margaret Walsh, dated 1421.
Pedigrees
293
WALSINGHAM
(Arms : — paly of six pieces argent and sable a fess gules.)
Ped. LXVI.
Walsing-
James Walsingham, ^^f: Elinor (Writtle)
d. 1540 I
Sir Edmund W.,=T=Katherine, dau. of
d. I5j^ I John Gunter
und W.,=T=Katherin
53T) John
■T -"
(D,
Joyce 3 daughters
'enny)
Sir Thomas =f^ Dorothy, dau. of Sir Francis r
W.,of
Beadhay,
Kent : d.
Sir John Guilford W., Seer,
(d. I584\ and of of State sue
his wile Barbara, to Qu. ::p 2. Ursula (St,
Anne (Barnes), 5 daughters
d. without is-
1536. d.
1590
Barbe)
xvii I I I
Sir Thomas -T- Katharine Frances = 1. Sir Philip Sid- Mary
Gresley | ney
4s 2. Robt., 2nd Earl
3 sons of Essex
5 daughters 3. Richard, Earl
of Clanricard
Brit. Mus. MS. Harl. 807, fol. 5 : &c.
294
The Grcslcys of Drakelowe
Fed. LXVII.
Waste-
neys.
WASTENEYS
(Arms : — sable a lion rampant argent armed langed and collared gules.)
Geoffrey de Wastene3's or Gastincys, =p ...
occ. 1086 I
1
Sir Will, de W.=F Alice (do Acton ?)
Sir Geoffrey de W.,
Lord of Tixall, occ.
abL ii2o-abt. 1166
Sir Will. deW.^Matthan
a Robert de W
=pAgatlia
1 (dc Colton) occ. 1 165-91
Sir Philip de W.,=pAmphelis, dau. and
JosceusdeW.,zp...
occ. 1198-1266
coheiress of Robt.
Fitz- Walter and
occ.
1202-13 1
Dina
Josceus de W.
Sir Wil
. de W., =p Margaret
Sir
occ. 1224
-abt. 1260 1
Will, de \
v., =p Constance
S»p.J
dc W.,
occ. 1260-9
' I
occ. 1242-76
Sir John deW.,^ Isabella
Reginald de W.,
^...
Sir Edmund de W.
occ. 1282-1309
^Hay)
occ. 1308-26
Willia
m de W.,
■ 1332
founder of the
Notts, line
1
Sir Will. deW.=p Joanna
Philip deW.,=^
Willelma
Wi'nlaln'deW
(^BretJ
occ. 1324 1
John dc W.
Elizabeth
Thomas
de W.,
= Sir John
occ.
342
Cornwall
Constance
I. SirTho.deW.
ix 111 I
Joan =2. Sir John John dc W. Stephen de W.,:= Joanna
(Toly) de Gresley Isabella = occ. 1335
Sir Robert
de Jortz
7 daughters
I I I
William de W.
John de W.
Thomas de W.,
all died with-
out issue
Sir Nicholas de Gresley, ^
son of Sir John Gresley
(above) by his first wife
Alice ^de Swynnerton)
I
:Thomasine (de
Wasteneys)
Some Account of Colton by the Rector
(F. Parker) (Second Edition), Birm.
1897, p. 78.
Pedigrees 295
WILCOCKSON Wilcock-
son.
See TOPLIS
WILLIAMS Ped. Lxviii.
Williams.
(Arms : — quarterly ist and 4th sable a chevron between three bulls' heads
caboshed argent, for Bulkdey : 2nd and 3rd gules a chevron ermine
between three Saracens' heads couped at the shoulders proper, for
Williams.)
Sir Robert Williams, gth Bart., =p Anne (Hughes),
b. 1764, d. 1830 d. 1830
Sir Rich. Bulkeley Capt. Robert Griffith W.,=p Mary Anne, dau. of 8 children
Williams- Bulkeley, b. July 26, 1809, d. Apr.
b. 1801, d. 1875 13, 1865
-4^
Piers Geale, Esq.,
of Dublin : she
d. 1894
xxvl I I I 1 I
Sir Thomas Gresley=j= Laura Anne Charlotte Maria =p(i86i) Capt. W. R. G.
I I Farmer
-K 4-
Frances Elizabeth
Louisa Gwyn^ (1878) Hon. Marcus P. F.
I Caulfield, nephew of
4, Mary Anne Geale
above, bro. of Viscount
Charlemont : he d.
1895
Kathleen Emily B. =:( 1 872) Lord Arthur
Charles Welles-
ley, b. 1842,
grandson of the
Great Duke.
Burke's Peerage.
The Gresleys of Drakelowe
Fed. LXIX.
Wilmot.
WILMOT
(Arms : — sable on a fess or between three eagles' heads couped argent as many
escallops gules, a canton vairy ermine and of the fourth.)
not -I- Dorothy
en T Laurence
of Chac
Dorothy, dau. of
Shrigley
Chadesden
Robert W.,
2. Edward W.,^
p Dorothy
1
Sir Nicholas W.,
barrister, d.
b. 160S or 1606,
(Gresley),
of Osmaston,
unm. 1651
of Magd. Hall.
who had
sergeant at
or 1657
O.xford, D.D. :
married
law, d. 1682
Minister of
I. Robert
All Hallows,
Milward
Derby
: Dorothy
(Harpur)
Edw. \V., ^Susanna ... Roby, = Dorothy
ofSpondon | (Coke) of Donington
Derbyshire Pedigrees, a MS. owned by
S. P. Wolferstan, Esq.
Foster's Alumni Oxonienses.
Noble s Glover's Derbyshire (1829), ii.
Pedigrees
297
WINTER
Fed. LXX.
Winter.
(Arms : — sable on a chevron between three tuns argent a chess rook azure.)
Henry Winter,
lenry vvinier, -p...
Worthington,
Leicestershire
RobartW.T=... (English)
George W.=pAnne (Hardwick)
1
1 xvi
1
1
1 1
Edward W.,^ Kalherine
Cicely
Eliza
Ann Joy
OCC. 1372 vGresley ,
occ. 1572
Edw, Baskerville = I\Iary ... Winter = Am
George W.,
d. without
Leicestershire Visitation, 1619.
The Grcsleys of Drakelozve
Fed. LXXI.
Wolseley.
WOLSELEY
(Arms : — argent a talbot passant gules.)
The earlier generations are as follows, but they have not yet been fully proved,
so far as I know : —
Siwardus, dominus de Wolseley — William de W.— Richard de W. — Stephen
de W.— Robert de W.— Robert de W.— Richard de W.— John de W.— Ralph
do W.
Ralph de Wolseley, =; i. ... dau. of Lord Montjoy
Baron of the ^ 2. Margaret, dau. of Sir
Exchequer, 1468 I Robert Aston
John de W. =pAnne, dau. of George
I Stanley
Anthony W. =p Margaret, dau. of 2 sons
Will. Blith
I i Tl
Erasmus W.^ Cassandra, dau. of Francis Maud
Sir Tho. Giffard Anne
Sir Thomas W. = i. Grace (,GresIey\ d. without issue bef. 1598
^2. Anne, dau. of Humphrey Moseley
1
1
1
1 1 1
III
John W.,
Humphrey W.,
Edward W.,
Margaret
Richard W., b.
b. Feb. 4,
b. Apr. 25, 1599
b. Aug. 9, 1600
Mary
Dec. 22. 1608
i59g-
Joan
Walter W., b.
Sept. 25. 1612
DavernyeW.,b.
Nov. 24, 1617
Collins's Baronetage (1741), ii. 134.
Staifurdshire Visitations, 1614, 1663-4.
Genealogist, O.S., ii. 333-
Burke's Peerage and Baronetage.
Worcester. WORCESTER
see SOMERSET
Pedigrees
299
WROTTESLEY
(Arms : — or three piles sable a canton (
Ped. LXXII.
Wrottes.
ley.
William de Verdon, ^ Ingrith (Fitz-Adam)
assumed the name
of Wrottesley : d.
abt. 1242
Sir Hugh ,
Wrottesley, ^ Idonia (de Perton)
. 1276
Petronilla (Audley)
Katherine (de Glaseley,
nee L'Estrange)
Sir William de W.,=
Kt., d. 1320
:Joan (Basset)
I I
Sir Hugh de W., = i. Elizabeth (de Hampton) Roger de W.
K.G., b. 1314, ^ 2. (before 1366) Mabel (ap Rees)
d. 1381 ^3. (before 1371) Isabella i,Arderne)
I 1
I I I
Hugh de W., Hugh de W., John de W. ^ Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Robert
b. 1369, dead b. 1371 : d. d. 1403 I do Standish, Kt. : she
in 1370 unm. under age aftervv. married William,
I Lord Ferrers of Groby
HughW.,=pThTm
b. 1400,
d. 1464
isine, ? dau. of Sir John Gresley,
occ. 1421, d. 1480
Sir Walter W.,^
Kt., d. 1473
pjoan, dau. of
Will. Baron,
of Reading:
she = 2. Sir
Rich. Darell
1 1 1 1
Henry W., Elizabeth = Sir Will. Stafford
Sheriff of Isabella = Sir Will. Airmyn
Worcestersh. Joan = Rich. Jenetts, ace. to
1460 the Wore. Visit", of 1569
Richard W.,r^
= Dorothy, dau.
w'alLr
b. 1457, d.
ofSirEdmund
William, whose grand
1524
Sutton of
daughter was Anne
Dudley
Askew, the martyr
d. 1546
Walter VV.,= Isabel
d. 1563
(Harcourt)
Mill
Thomasine = Will. Lord
Stourton
Anne ^= Lord St. Amand
Joan =: Rich. Cresset
Margaret =Sir John Scrope
Parnell, a nun
From Walter there is an unbroken male descent, thus : —
Walter, d. 1563— John, d. 1578— Walter, d. 1630— Sir Hugh, Kt., d. 1633— Sir
Walter, Kt. and Bart., d. 1659— Sir Walter, d. 1686— Sir Walter, d. 1712—
Sir John, d. 1726— Rev. Sir Richard, whose two elder brothers predeceased him,
d. 1769— Sir John, d. 1787— Sir John, first Lord Wrottesley, d. 1841— John,
Loid W., d. 1867 -Arthur, the present Lord Wrottesley, brother of Major-Gen.
the Hon. George Wrottesley, to whom this volume is much indebted.
Burke's Peerage 1S96, and private information
from the Hon. George Wrottesley.
300
The Gresleys of Drakeloive
Ped. LXXIII,
Wynne.
WYNNE
(Arms : — gules a saltire argent between twelve
or [!].)
Robert Wynne =p Jane (Evans),
d. 1712
1
William W.=T= I. Margaret, dau. of Ellis
Brynker and Jane
(Wynnel
2. Margaret CLIoi'd), whose
son William was a
Welsh poet, who d.
in 1760
Leftwich 01dfield,=p Jane
d. 172J
(see Bowyer
pedigree)
(Bowyer),
d. 1749
I I I
Robert W. ^ Lovvry (Nanney) Rev. Ellis W. ^ Elizabeth
Leftwich Bowyer W.
Sir Nigel Gresley ^ Elizabeth
I
Burke's Landed Gentry (1846), ii. 914.
INDEX
INDEX
Abbot's Bromley i57> i95
Abbott, Maiianne Harriet, see Gres-
ley, Marianne Harriet.
Abington, near Northampton ... 48
Abraham, Robert, Jire Fitz- Abraham,
Robert.
Achetorp, see Oakthorp.
Adderley, — 117
— Charles 243
Adgaresley 45
Admaston 75. '95
Agard, Sir Henry 269
Agincourt, battle 52
Airmyn, Sir William 299
Alberet, Mary, iide Gresley . . . 144
Albini, family 15
— Nigel de 197
Alderwasley 144
Aldithele, family, see Audley, family.
Aldwark, in Yorkshire 55
Alert, H.M.S 149
Alfreton 93
Algiers 73
AUer, in Somerset 107
AUeyne, Sir Christopher . 172-3,178
Allsop, — 249
— George 265
— Richard and Elizabeth, «/e Greas-
ley 211
Allye, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Alrewas 46, 67, 155, 231
Alton, in Worcestershire ....11
Aluric 184
America, see Virginia.
Anastatic Drawing Society . . . .123
Andrews, — 139
Annesley, Sir Francis, Vise. Valentia,
Lord Mountnorris, d. 1660 . . 77
Anningson, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Ansgotus, a Norman 7
Anson, Sir G 125
— George, Lord Anson, d. 1762 . .110
Apedale 110
Appleby ... 93, 103, 118, 122, 195
— family 179
Applctou, see Budworth, Great.
Appleton, Richard 178
Apps, Roger and Sarah, nt'e Gresley . : 56
Archer, Maria Elizabeth, j^e Gresley,
Maria Elizabeth.
Arderne, family, Pedigree . . . .281
— Isabella 299
Arnesby (Erendesby) .... 19, 195
Artois, Robert ii, Count of, 13th cent. 9
Arundel, Earls of, see Fitz-AIan,
family.
Ascough, William 282
Ashbourne . . 45,103,107,123,211
Ashby, Little .... 64, 189, 195
— de la Zouch 123
— Elizabeth 264
Ashover 124
Askew, Anne 299
Asperton 131
Astbury, in Cheshire 112
Astley, family, Pedigree .... 235
— Sir Thomas and Dame Jane de,
?«<.'£ Gresley S3
Aston, family, of Tixall, Pedi-
gree 236
— Bridget, Frances and James . . 91
— Sir Edward 289
— Katherine, dau. of Sir Edward, see
Gresley, Katherine.
— Margaret 29S
— Roger de, Prior of Gresley . . .176
— Sir Walter 71, 83
Atkins, Lettice, Jt^e Gresley . . . 233
Attwood, Rev. George and Sarah,
nt'e Gresley 142
-William 45
Auckland, New Zealand 145
Audley, Lord, of Heleigh, see Tuchet,
James, d. 1684.
— (Aldithele), Adam de . . 27,194
Henry de 27
Nicholas de 194
Petronilla de 27
Thomas 277
Augustus Frederick, Prince, son of
George III 125
Austen, S. C 151
304
Index
Avranchcs, Richard of, Earl of
Chester, d. 1120 : Charter from
him 19
Awl , or Aula, William de, of Gresley 1 54
Ayala, Sanchia de 240
Eabington, Mary 251
Balington's conspiracy 70
Eabthorpe, William and Margaret,
Kfe Gresley / • 5'
Bacon, Anthony Harley and Henrietta
Selina, n^e Gresley 146
Bagot, Hervey, Lord Stafford . . 17
— Isabella 257
— Lewis 155, 271
— Sir William, Lord Bagot, letter
in his possession mentioned . . 67
Bagnald, Mary 2S7
Bagshaw.Jane 259
Bainbrigge, Jane 251
Eakepuiz, in Normandy 3S
— family, Pedigree 237
— Elizabeth de, sa Gresley, Eliza-
beth de.
— John and Roesia de 3S
Bakewell, in Derbyshire .... 107
Baldwyn, Sir Samuel and Elizabeth . 291
BalioI,Cecilyde,Jfi:Grelly, Cecily de.
Ball, family. Pedigree 238
— Elizabeth, >:4'i; Gresley . . 108,114
— Robert and Amelia Gresley, ii<!e
Hellicar 140
— Prof. Sir Robert Stawell . . .140
— Samuel loS
Ballidon, Mary 91, 261
— Paul 91. 95
— Sarah, «e'^ Gresley . . . .95,100
Eallyshannon 133
Balsham, Simon, Canon of Gresley . 177
Balzac, Jean de 136
Banester, Alice 63
Banwell, in Somersetshire . . 138, 142
Barbor, Agnes 249
Barcelona, Ermensenda Countess of . 6
. — Raymond Count of, d. loi 7 . . 6
Barford, Robert 243
Barlow, family. Pedigree .... 239
— Sir Alexander and Dorothy 72, cf. 71
Barlow Moor 72
Barnes, M. W 246
Baron, Joan 299
Baronets, account of their institution
in 1611 80
Barret, Edward 275
— Joan 24S
— Ralph, see Basset, Ralph.
Barrow-on-Soar 211
Barry, Major — 1 1 1
Barton in St. Decuman's . . . .156
— under Needwood, 130, 131,147, 168,196
— Elizabeth (A), see Gresley, Eliza-
beth.
Barton, Elizabeth (B) 236
Barton Blount, affair there during the
Civil War, May 1645 . . . 87-8
Basford, near Nottingham . 147, 157
Baskerville, Edward 297
Basset, Isobel, see Grelly, Isabel de.
— (Barret), Ralph .... 25, 187
Baston 196
Bath 110-14,119,124
Bathford 123
Baxter, Elizabeth 238
Baynard, Sir Robert 44
Bayning, Paul, Viscount Bayning,
d. 1638 136
Beadhay, in Kent 71
Beardsley, Mrs. Elizabeth, nie Gres-
ley 95. 106, 114
— Samuel 95, 241
Beauchamp. family .... 14,179
— Guy and Alice de, Earl and
Coimtess of Warwick . . 14, 235
— Hugh de 19
— Richard de. Earl of Warwick,
d- 1439 53
Beanchief abbey 34, 57
Beauclerk, Lady Mary 246
Beaudesert 70
Beaufo, Alice, see Gresley, Alice.
— Jane,dau. of Elizabeth,jec Gresley,
Beaufoy, Margaret 90
Beaumont, Const.ince de, see Toeni,
Constance de.
— Sir Henry and Barbara . . . .261
— Margaret de, see Toeni, Mar-
garet de.
— Mary 259
— Roger de, nth cent 6
Beanvale abbey, in Greasley .17?, 210-11
Bee, Geoifrey and Agatha or Agnes
de, }i^e de Gresley 34
Belesme, Robert de 33
Belfield, EUzabeth 239
Bellers, Ralph and Elizabeth, «<fe
Butler 46
Bello Monte, de, see Beaumont.
Bellot, Sir Thomas 242
Belper 147
Belton, see Grace Dieu.
Belvoir, see Todeni family.
Benange, le Vicomte de .... 210
Bennet, Frances, Countess of Salis-
bury, d. 1713 167
— Simon 273
Bent, Dr. James Justin 263
— Dr. Richard 263
Bentele, Ralph de. Canon of Gres-
ley 176
Bentley, Mary 285
Beresford, Lord William .... 278
Berkeley, Henry, Lord Berkeley,
d. 1613 68
Index
305
Berkeston, Simon de 276
BerniJres, village 4
Bemulf iSj;
Berwick-on-Tweed bfci
Beverley, in Yorkshire 140
Biddulph 104
Bilstone (BilsdonV 40, 64, 1S6, iSg, 196
Birch, — , of Thoresby . . . 115,121
Birchover, in Derbyshire, Rowtor
mentioned 107
Birdsall 124
Birmingham 115,124
Bishop's Castle, sec Oakeley.
— Hampton, in Worcestershire . .155
Black, Elizabeth, sec Gresley, Eliza-
beth.
Blackpool, near Burton-on-Trent . 22
Blagdon, in Somersetshire .... 139
Elinman, Joan, see Gresley, Joan.
Blithbury .... 63,71,74-5,196
Blithford 196
Blore Heath, the battle there, 1459 . 59
Blount, family, Pedigree .... 240
— Thomas 63
— Sir Thomas and Dame Slargaret,
nie Gresley 54
— Sir Walter, Lord Mountjoy . . 54
Bloxwich 196
Bohun, Alice de, see Toeni, Alice de.
Bokesworth, Reginald de .... 37
Bol, F 167
Boleyn, Anne, her coronation, 1533 . fi6
Bolsover 35. S9
Bombay 146
Boothorpe 172
Bordesley abbey 17
Boston, in Lincolnshire 64
Boleler, Richard, j«^ Butler, Richard.
BotiUer, Alice, see Butler, Alice.
Bott, family, Pedigree 241
— Anne, see Gresley, Anne.
— Thomas and Elizabeth, nie Ores-
ley 95
Boulogne, Counts of 14
— Baldwin of. King of Jerusalem . 1 2
Bournemouth 123
Bowden, William 271
Bowes, George 244
— Sir George 25S
— Sir John 244
Bowles, Jane 236
— Sir Thomas 275
Bowmen of the Isis I50
Bowyer, family, Pedigree . . . .242
— Dorothy, dau. of Sir William,
see Gresley, Dorothy, Lady.
— Jane, afterw. Mrs. Wynu . 112, 300
— Sir John 166, 269
— Mary, Lady, n^c Milwaid ... 84
— Sir William 16S
Boyle, Richard, Lord Cork, d. 1643 77
Boyleston, family (i 2th cent.) . . 29
Boyne Hill, near Maidenhead 123, 150
Boyvill, Sir John 292
Brabazon, Catherine dau. of Lord . 152
Braceborough, in Lincolnshire . 50,51,
64, 71, 196
Bradbourne, Anne 249
— Jane 254
Bradbura, Roger de 44
Bradley in the Moors (Bretlei) 1S6, 196
— Mary, d. 1766, see Gresley, Mary.
Bradshaw, Thomas 256
Braganza, family 291
Bramcote go
Bramshall (Bromshulf) . . . 75, 196
Branstone 196
Brassingborough, see Braceborough.
Bredon, John de. Canon of Gresley . 177
Brereton, Elenor 252
— Mary and Frances 239
— Sir William, letter to him from
Sir G. Gresley, Nov. 21, 1645 . 88
Bret, Joanna 294
Bretby 82
Breteuil, Count of, see Fitz-Osberne,
William.
— Guillermus de 12
Bretlei, see Bradley in the Moors.
Breton, William le 189
Brevint, Bishop 151
Brevvood nunnery 177
Bridgenorth 39
Brighton 144, 150
Brindley, James 1 10
Brinkburn, Walter de (' Bynkelurn ') 191,
198
Bristol 119, 13S-40, 142
— the Hotwells . . . 108,116, 120
— Earl of, d. 1653, see Digby,
Sir John.
Broach, near Bombay 146
Broadlow 84
Brodoke, John 25S
Broking, John, a London merchant 9S-9,
103
Brom, John 155
Brome, family 90-1
Pedigree 243
— Mary 244
Bromley, Abbot's, see Abbot's Brom-
ley.
— Bagot 40, 196
— Rev. George and Margaret, tiie
Gresley 156
— J. de 176
Bromshulf, see Bramshall.
Brooke, Elizabeth, see Gresley, Eliza-
beth.
Broomfield, in Somersetshire . . . I.i9
Broughton 211
— Anne, wife of Edward, nie Dix-
well, see Gresley, Anne.
— Edward 250
3o6
Index
Brown, Sir R i 2G
— W iiS«
Browne, John 261
— Jolnn and Anne, in'e Fitton . . 53
— Sir John and Lady Anne, ne'e
Gresley 63
— John and Joan, itt'C Gresley . . 53
— Lydia 113
Brownsover 46
Bruni island 145
Bubendon (Bubington\part of Long-
ford 38
— Margaret de, sec Gresley, Mar-
garet de.
— Nigel de 27Q
Buch, Captal de 210
Buci, Robert de 186
Buck. Eleanor, see Gresley, Eleanor.
Buckingham, Dukes of, see Staf-
ford, family.
— Anne, Duchess of 240
Budworlh, Great ; Appleton in Great
Budwoith 6S
Buehner, — 168
Bunbury, William and Elinor, ne'e
Gresley 143
Bunn, Martha, see Gresley, Martha.
Burdet, family, Pedigree .... 244
— Bridget, dau. of Sir Thomas, see
Gresley, Bridget, Lady.
-Frances 91
— Sir Francis 9S
— Jane, Lady, d. 163S. Poem on
her by Sir George Gresley . . 83
— Richard 270
— Sir Robert 91, 101, 243
— Sir Thomas 256
Burg, Serlo de 1S7
Burgh, family 179
— Hawyse de, see Grelly, Ilawyse
de.
Burriscucane, in Ireland . . . .147
Burslem 147
Burstal, Hawisia and Hugh de . 27, 30
Burton-on-Trent, 21, 53, 58, 60, 70, S4,
1.54. 177. 1S7, 196, 19S
Burton, John 24S
— John de, Canon of Gresley . .177
Burton Overy 152
Busby, Jane, sec Gresley, Jane.
Butler (Botiller), Dame Alice, Henry
VI's governess 53
— Elizabeth, see Bellers, Elizabeth.
— Margaret (A) i;6
(B) 235
— (Boteler), Richard and Joan, iije
Gresley 46
Buxton 112
Bvldeston, see Bilstone.
Bynkelurn, Walter de, sec Brinkbum,
Walter de.
Byron, Helen 240
Cacrlaverock, siege of, A. D. 1300 . 14
Calais 58
Calcutta 113
Caldecote, in Norfolk 11
Caldway 197
Caldwell, village . 31, 74, 132, 187, 197
• — Ralph de 31
— William de 38
Callowhill 71.7.1.197
Calvacamp, Hugh de 3-4
Cambridge 37
— Henry Gresley at the University
in 1651 136
— Emmanuel College, James Gres-
ley there in 1737 103
John Gresley there in 1758 . 107
— Jesus College, C. V. Gresley tliere
in 1S90 124
— Selwyn College, G. N. Gresley
there, 18S6 131
— Trinity College, Andrew R. Gres-
ley there in 1832 149
Rev. Nigel Gresley there,
1S58 131
Camvile, Eustachia de 153
— Katherine de, dan. of Lord Cam-
vile of Clifton, sec Gresley,
Catherine de.
Canada 143
Cannock forest 40
Cannon, Jane, sec Gresley, Jane.
Cantelupe, Nicholas de, founder of
Beauvale priory 211
— William and Eustachia de, fu'e
Greasley 211
Capetown 123
Carew, family 54
Carhampton, Earl of, d. 1787, see
Luttrell, Simon.
Carlby 51.64. "97
Carle 184
Carroll, Alexander 263
Carter, Rev. Eccles J 123
Gary, Sir Francis, Lord F"alkland,
d. 163.1 78
Casale, in Piedmont 149
Castellio vChatillon), see Conches.
Castle Donington 94
Castlehaven, Earl of, see Tuchet,
James, d. 16S4.
Catton in Croxall (Chetun) . 69, 1S2, 197
— William, Canon of Gresley . . 177
Cauldwell, see Caldwell.
Canlfeild, Rev. E. and Millicent, Ki'fi
Hellicar 140
Caulfield, Hon. Marcus P. F. . . . 295
Cavendish, Henry Manners, Lord
Waterpark, d. 1863 . . . .125
Cawarden, John and Katherine . . .^6
Chaddesden 84
Chadwick, Colonel 213
Charles, Sir Edward 44
Index
307
Charlton, in Wiltshire 137
Chartley 39j 7°
Chartres, Odo de 5
Chaterlege 27
Chatillon (Castellio), sec Conches.
Chaytor, W. R. C 125
Chelle 27
Cheltenham 120, 123
Cheney, Elizabeth 24S
Chenvin, Richard, see Richard the
Forester.
Chester 26
— Bishopric 20, 185, 1S7
— Earl of, see Avranches, Richard of.
see Gemon, Ralph de.
Chetun, see Catton.
Chetwynd, William 252
Chevalier au Cygne, see Knight of the
Swan.
Chewton Mendip 131
Chicheley, family, Tedigree . . . 24S
-r Florence 61
Chilcote 172
Chillington 63
Chingeslei, see Kingsley.
Chiselhurst, in Kent 71
Church Over, in Warwickshire . . 6S
Churchill, family, see Spencer-
Churchill, family.
Churton, Edward 150
Cilwen, in Tasmania 146
Civil War, 1642-5 81, 90
Clare, family 179
— Earl of, see Fitz-Gilbert, Richard.
see Holies, John, d. 1665.
Clarell, family. Pedigree . . . .245
— Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Thomas, see
Gresley, Elizabeth.
— Margaret 55
Clark, Mrs. — 100
Clarke, Elizabeth 291
Clayton 185, 197
Clevedon, in Somersetshire .... 140
Cleveland, Duchess of, her edition of
the Batik Abbey Roll quoted . 126
Clifford, family 13
— Maud 283
Clifton iS(5, 197
— Hendenhouse Heath mentioned . 42
— near Bristol . . . . loS, 131,140
— Catherine 240
Clifton Camvile . . . 108,114,155
Clinton, Geoffrey de 21
Codsall, in Staffordshire . . . .211
Cohen, Caroline Lechmere .... 263
Coke papers quoted loi
Coke, Clement 249
— Susanna 296
Coleville, Alice 257
CoUard, Margaret 156
Collistown, Aberdeenshire . . . . 291
Cologne ; A sword of Cologne . . 44
Colton, in Staffordshire . . 49,51,54,
62,64, 66, 71,74,80,83,
155. 197
Colvcley 40, 197
ColviUe, C. R 130
Colwich, in St.-iffordshire {see Hay-
wood a«a' Morton) 31, 74, 75, 154,
197
Compostella 8
Conches 6-7, I4-15, 17
— Chatillon mentioned 5-6
— accoimt of it and of Chatillon . 8-9
Conchis, de, family. Some of the
Toenis bore this name.
Concubranus 32
Congcrston, in Leicestershire . . . 157
Congleton 112
Congreve, John 258
— Sir William 158
Conques 8
Cooper, Sir John or Roger . . , 261
— Susanna 263
Copeland, William, printer. ... 4
Copenhagen, Battle of 143
Copley, Bridget 277
Corbet, Anne, sec Gresley, Anne.
— Peter 39
— Sir Robert and Joan 56
— Thomas 39
Cork 104, 140
— Lord, see Boyle, Richard, d.
1643.
Cormeilles Abbey 7
Cornish, J. E., bookseller, in Man-
chester 76
Cornwall, Sir John 294
Corsum, Richard de 190
Cossington (Cressington ?) . . 35-7, 197
— Maud, Lady of 276
Cotes, — 252
Colon, in Derbyshire. . 6S, 75-6, 132,
i86, 197
Cotton, Eleanor 274
— General Willonghby 246
Courtenay, Robert de, 13th cent.. . 9
Cousins, Rev. Dennis L 120
Coutances, Nigel de 5
Coventry 55, 116, 19S
— family. Earls of Coventry, Pedi-
gi-t-e 245
— George William, Earlof Coventry,
d. 1S31 125
— Maria, Countess of, nie Gunning,
d. 1760 167
— Richard of, Prior of Gresley . .177
— Lady Sophia Catherine, see
Gresley, Lady Sophia.
— William, Earl of Coventry, d.
1751 167
Cowopp, John. Canon of Gresley . 1 77
Cramphorne, Dyonise 249
Cranach, Lucas 167
3o8
Index
Crawfnrd, Lieut. Col. — . . . .
246
Des Vceux, Sir Henry William and
PAGE
Crawley, Lettice, nh Gresley . . .
2.^,^
Lady Sophia, H^»^ Gresley . 128
na
Cressmgton, see Cossmgton.
Despencer, Hugh le
46
Crewe, Sir Ceorge
ir-S
Deihick. family, Pedigree ....
249
Criche
^7
— Dorothy
261
-Henry 172,
i7>»
— Dorothy, dau. of William, see
Crockford's Club, in London . . .
126
Gresley, Dorothy.
Cromwell. Thomas, Lord Cromwell,
76
2,S
— Francis 6;
> 7'
d. 16-;^
— Katharine
Crosland, Mary
— Margaret
269
Crosse, Elizabeth, sec Gresley, Eliza-
Devereux, Robert, Earl of Essex, d.
beth.
iqS
1646
76
Croxall . . . 40-1, 54, 119, 190,
- Walter, Earl ofEssex,d. 1576 .
76
-Avarilla. . ! . . . . .
107
Devil of Drakelowe
21
Crull, Robert
Devon, Joan, see Gresley, Joan.
Digby, — (1584)
Cubley
6s
70
Cuddesdon College
123
— Grace
28z
Curzon, family, Pedieree . . . .
247
— Sir John, Earl of Bristol, d. 1653
71
— Rev. Alfred N. H., Lord Scars-
— Margery
274
dale
^4
Dispensarius, Robertns, see Spencer,
— Bridget
244
Robert le.
— John, d. 14:10
i-A
Dive, Sir John ■
263
— Senecha, lUe Gresley ....
h',
Dixie, Sir Wolstan
261
Dixwell, family, Pedigree ....
2,0
Dale, Ami
242
— Anne, dau. of Humphrey, see
— Richard
17R
Gresley, Anne.
Docwra, Anne
Dodefreseford, near Burton-on-
-Thomasine. '.'.'.'.'.'.'.
Darell, family. Pedigree
24S
Trent
23
— Agnes, Florence, Henry, John,
Domesday Book,- Extracts from it .
182
Thom«, and Thomasine . . .
61
Donisthorp (Durandestorpl 36, 40
41.
— Sir Richard
63-4, 7.S-6. "4, 154. 172,184,
I<,8
Earlaston (Derlaveston) . 27, 29,
IV.
Dordin, Hannah
IS;
,g8
Dorrington, Richard
251
Darley
Donglas, Helen
— Robert Archibald, see Gresley,
Robert A. D.
137
Datchet .... I
H-5
Davies, Rev. John
Davis, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Drakeholes
108
Dawson, —
288
Drakelowe, in Cheshire
loS
— Lient. Alexander Clotworthy and
Drakelowe, the seat of the Gresleys
Elizabeth, nie Gresley . . .
140
m Derbyshire 39-4°. 43-4. 45
-.=5°.
Deane, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Dee Thomas
'r
64, 6ft, Si, 94-6, I0I-2,
Delawarr, John, Lord Delawarr . .
210
120, 124, 126, 179,
iSs,
Delia Croce, Countess Cesariiia . .
149
1 88, 190
Delves, Margaret de, see Gresley,
— the Devil of Drakelowe . . .
31
Margaret, nie Norwood.
— its devolution in early times. 32-4
iqS
Denne, H.and Mary A. P.,«c'£ Gres-
— right of gallows there ....
ley
145
— inquisition about rights there, 1330
iqo
Derby . 67,70,80,82,95,115,
IV.
— Leland's account of it . . . .
66
154
— value of the manor m 1573 . .
— letter from Sir George Gresley
— condition of the house, in about
about the Civil War in the neigh-
1690-9 96-7
bourhood. May, 164s . . . .
«7
— account of the park, house.
— the High Sheriff's entry into the
pictures, &c., by Sir Robert
town, 1 75 1 I
oq«
Gresley
161
— Earl of, see Ferrers, Robert de.
— account of the muniments there .
216
and William de
Drakelowe, in Nottinghamshire . .
iqS
Derbyshire, contested elections for
Draycote under Needwood ....
29
South Derbyshire, 1832, 1S37
Drayton Bassett
150
I
S-f.
Dregetone, see Drointon.
Derlaveston, sec Darlaston.
Drogo, bailiff of Roger the Poitevin .
n
Index
309
Drointon (Dregetone) . . . iS;, 19S
Drummond, Jane Charlotte, ice Gres-
ley, Jane Charlotte.
— Mary, nde Phillimore, see Gresley,
Mary.
Drury, Alary, see Gresley, Mary,
Lady, >ii!e Southwell.
— Dr. William 71.277
Dublin 132, 144, 146
— account of the arrival there of
Lord Strafford, &c., Jan. i63§ . 76
Dudley, Lords, see Sutton, family.
— Eleanor 281
Dufficld 147, 211
Dut;dale, Elizabeth 243
— Sir William S3
Duncombe, Ruth Slingsby, see Gres-
ley, Ruth Slingsby.
Dunstall 95
Dnrandestorp, see Donisthorp.
Duredent, Felicia, ?it'i; Gresley . . 21
— Roger 21, 279
— Walter, Bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield, d. 1159 ^7
Dnrsley, in Gloucestershire . 123,21a
Duston, in Northamptonshire ... 33
Dutton, Margaret 252
— Sir Thomas 2S1
Dymock, Margaret 2S9
Dyott, family 91
Pedigree 251
— Col. — 130
— Frances 91
— Richard 91, 264
— Richard and Katherine, 7i^e Gres-
ley 91
Dyve, Sir Lewis 156
Eales, John and Jane E. G., nie
Lavers 143
East India Company 1.^2
Eccleshall 1^9, :So
Edensor, Rachel 263
Edgehill 91
Edial Hall 149
Edingale 45. 19S
— Sir Robert de Gresley of, see
Gresley, Sir Robert de.
Ednmnd, Prince, son of Edward iii . 50
Edward ii, King 14.42
Edward the Black Prince, son of
Edward iii 50
Edwards, Caroline F., nie Gresley . i-;3
— Rev. E. J 263
— James 153, 263
Edwin 184
Egerton, family, Pedigree .... 2S2
— Alice, Ellen, Hugh and John . . 6i
— Sir Richard 155
Eggington 43, 199
Eliord 60
Eluod 1S4
EIric ,83
Elston, in Leicestershire . . . . ji
Elstow, connexion of Nigel de Staf-
ford with the nunnery .... 19
Elton, Rev. Edward . . . . 141,219
— Sir Humphrey 202
Emery, John and Martha, nee Gresley,
and their family 142
Engenulph, note on the name . . 29
Englebi, see Ingleby.
English, George and Phrebe, n^e
Greasley 211
Enisanus and Ernaldus 25
Ercall Magna 40, 199
Erdbury priory 177
Erdeswick, Sampson 2,^0
— Thomas 280
Erendesby,.iefi Arnesby.
Erie, Pa.,U. S. A 123
Einuin 1S4
Espagne, Roger d' 6
Esseby Parva, see Ashby, Little.
Essex, Earl of, see Devereux, Robert,
d. 1646.
see Devereux, Walter, d. 1576.
see Fitz-Piers, Geoffrey, d.
1212.
Esterhazy, Prince and Princess . . 159
Eton 133
Etwall, near Repton 123
Ev.-ins, Mary 141
Evelith 64
Everley, Geoffrey de 34
Evesham 17
— battle of, A. u. 1265 39
Kvington, John de 27, 30
Evreux, town 7
— Adela or Helena, Countess of . 7
— Agnes d* 11
— Hclvisa, Countess of ....11
— Jolande d' 11
— Richard, Count of (d. 1067), and
iiis family 7
Exchequer, Red and Black Books of
the, extracts from them . . . 1S9
Eystein, Glumra 2
Eyton 45
Falconer, Frances 2 63
Falkland, Lord, see Cary, Sir Henry,
d. 1633.
Fallowfield, John 248
Farley, in Somerset I13
Farmer, Anne, see Gresley, Anne.
— Capt. W. R. G 295
Faunt, Barbara 261
Fenny Drayton, Ralph de, Canon of
Gresley 176
Fenton, John 263
Ferrers, lamily, Earls of Ferrers and
Derby, Pedigiee 253
-Mr. (15S4) 70
3IO
Index
Ferrers, Agnes de, in'c Kevillioc . 33, 35
Foljambe, Cecil G. S., Lord Hawkes-
P.CB
— Amicia de
197
bury
291
— Anne, dau. of Sir Thomas, see
Forbes, Admiral Thomas George and
Gresley, Anne.
Elizabeth, wA- Gresley . . .
149
— Goda de, ttc'e Toeni
17
— Colonel ViUiers
1^2
— Henry de (i ith cent.) . 20, 1S2,
i.S^
Forde, Arthur William and Louisa
— Humfrey, mentioned in 11; 73 . .
■;$
Florence, n^c Gresley ....
146
— Sir John
84
— Mary, see Gre-ley, Mary, Lady,
- Tohn
281
,iJe Southwell.
— Petronilla de
2H0
— Dr. Robert 72,
277
— Robert de, Earl of Ferrers and of
Foremark (Fornewerche) . 68, 90,
Derby, d. 1162 26-27
183,
109
— Robert de, Earl of Derby, d.
Forestarias, Richard . . .20,185,
1S7
1268 .
'.9
Fornewerche, see Foremark.
- Simon de
190
Fornjot, King of Finland ....
2
— Susan, dau. of Sir Humphrey, see
Forstcr, family, Pedigree ....
2=^=1
Gresley, Susan, Lady.
— Thomas and Mary, n.'e Grebley .
64
— Sir Thomas, d. 1498
262
Fotheringay
— Walkeline de i
. 33
Four Oaks, see Sutton Coldfield.
— William de. Earl of Derby, d.
France {see also Calais) . 45, 50, 52,
■^4.
1 190. Deed by him ....
.^°
,04
d. 1247 33 {Ins
. y-,
Francis, family
90
— \\'illiam. Lord Ferrers of Groby .
299
Pedigree
2S6
fief 188-0
— Elizabeth, dau. of William and
Finch, James and Mary, nie Greas-
widow of another William, see
ley
211
Gresley, Elizabeth.
Finden. in Northamptonshire, see
Thingdon.
24 J
2sS
— Sir Robert
Findern,Jane
2O1
'sr,
Findeme, Thomas
Frtclord
MO
Fitton, Anne, see Browne, Anne.
Fitz-Abraham, Robert
G., W., 1S58, i.e. Rev. William
Fitz-Alan, family, Earls of Arundel .
74
Gresley
I=il
— Hawisia
36
Gaisford, Dr. Thomas, Dean of
Chiist Church, Oxford, and
Helen, ??</<.• Dou.^las . . . .
— fief
iSS
Fitz-Gilbert, Avice, dau. of the Earl
137
of Clare 16
279
Gallwey, Capt. Edwin J. Payne and
— Richard and Alice, nje de Gresley
34
Susan L G., n^e Gresley . . .
IS3
Fitzhead, in Somerset . . . 13S
i^ri
Gardin, Alexandre. His Conches
Fitz-Hubert, Ralph
20
mentioned
8
Fitz-Nigel, Agnes, sec Grelly, Agnes de.
Garway, Maria Eliza, see Gresley,
Fitz-Orm, Robert
Maria Eliza.
Fitz-Osbeme, WiUi.im, count of lire-
Gascoyne, Sir William
24t
teuil, Earl of Hereford, d. 1070.
Gasteneys, family, see Wastenevs.
Mention of him and his family .
7
- Sir Philip .
127
Fitz-Piers, Geoffrev, Earl of Essex.
Gaufridus, abbot of Burton, d. 1151.
His daughter Maud ....
14
His Vita S. Modwennae cunt
Fitz-Pons, Richard
tractatu de Mivaculis quoted .
22
Fitz-Ralph, Agnes
210
Ge.ale, Mary Ann
2()S
— Hugh, d. 1260
210
Gell, Sir John. His regiment in the
Fitz-Kichard, Hugh
Civil War
8r
Fiiz-Walkelin, Ermentrude . . .
2 So
Geneva
— William
33
42
Genoa
148
3=;
Fitz-Walter, Robert
Geoffrey, note on the name . . .
FitzwiUiam, John
24s
George, St., dedication of Gresley
— Sir Richard
Priory to him
172
Flamsteed, in Hertfordshire . . .
George IV, King, account of his
Flanders
6,,
coronation in 1821, by R. N.
riavel, Mary
28s
Gresley
i.-i?
Flax Bourton 1^
2-3
Gemon, family
47
Fletcher, Rev. Charles
131
Pedigree
2=i7
Floyer, Catherine
267
— Hugh, parson of Ilkky ....
47
Index
Gernon, Margaret, dau. of Sir John,
see Gresley, Margaret de.
— Ralph de 154
Earl of Chester, d. 1 1 53 25-6,33
Gibbs, Edward and Katharine . . 72
Giffard, family, Pedigree .... 258
— Cassandra 29S
— Sir John and Lady Elizabeth, nve
Gresley 63, 271
— Sir Thomas and Lady Dorothy . 63,
271
GifTord'sHall, in Suffolk .... 152
Gilbert, a monk 176
— Henry 261
Gise, John 210
Glascote, near Tamworlh . . . .131
Glastonbury 123
Gloucester, Earl of, see Monthermer,
Ralph de.
Gnosall (see also Morton) . . . 154-5
Godmersham 154
Godric 1S3-4
G ongu-Hrolf, see Rollo.
Gorsuch, James 239
Govett, Catherine Frances . . . .141
Grace Dieu priory, near Belton . 36, 217
' Graceful Gresley,' see Gresley, Anne.
Graham, Harriet 26S
Grammer, family, Pedigree . . . 259
— Gertrude, see Gresley, Gertrude,
Lady.
Grange le Conches 4
Grant, Jane (not Mary), see Gresley,
Jane.
Gmsley, John (= Gresley) ... 62
Gratian de Goudin, Cecile .... 107
Greasley village, in Noltinghamshiie
(je£ also Beauvale abbey) .25,210
— priory, see lieauvale priury.
— family, probable number at present
alive 135
of All Saints, Derby (Anne,
Arabella, Catharine, Charles,
Dorothy, Elizabeth, Esther,
Francis, Hannah, Henry, James,
John, Joseph, Lydia, Mary,
Ralph, William : iSth cent.) . 211
— — of Barrow on Soar and
Mount Sorrel (Anne, Elizabeth,
Humphrey, Lucretia, Mary,
Phcebe, Sophia, Thomas : 17th-
iSth centt.) 211
of Broughton (Hannah, John :
iSth cent.) 211
• of Codsall (Dorothy, Eliza-
beth, William: I7th-i8thcentt.) 211
of London (Abigail, Ann,
Elizabeth,Ellen,H nnnah, I leriry,
John, Joseph, Kathernie, Mary,
Sarah, Susannah, William: 17th
cent.) 211
Greasley, family, of Rownall (Ralph,
Richard: 17th cent.) . . .
ofThringstone and Whitwick
(Ann, Elizabeth, George, James,
John, Laurence, Mary, Sarah,
William : 19th cent.) ....
of Warwick (Cicely, Edward,
Thomas: 17th cent.) ....
— Agnes de (13th cent.) . . . .
— Agnesde, nie Muscamp ( 1 2th-i 3th
centt.)
— Eustachia de (13th cent.) . . .
— Fr.ancis (19th cent.)
— Gabriel (iSth cent.)
— Hugh de, d. 1260
— Hugh de (13th cent.) . . . .
— Isabella de, nie Muscamp (12th-
13th centt.)
— Idonea de (13th cent.) ....
— Mary (i 8th cent.)
— Ralph de (I2th-I3th centt.) . .
— Ralph de (13th cent.) . . . .
— William de (i2th cent.) . . .
— William de (' Gresselv ') (14th
cent.)
— William de, d. 1433
— William, of Oldcote ti7th cent.).
— Willi.am (19th cent.)
Greasley Chartulary
Green, Anne
Greenock . •
Greenwich
Gregson, Elizabeth
•Greisley'
Grelly, family, confused with Gres-
ley
— family. Barons of Manchester,
account of it
— Agnes de, nic Fitz-Nigel . . .
— Aian de
— Albert de (nth cent.) . . . .
2nd Baron Grelly of Manches-
ter (' Senex')
3rd Baron Grelly of Manches-
ter (■ Juvenis ')
— Albertus de (14th cent.) . . .
— Alicia de, nie Longchamp . . .
— Amabel de
— Archibald de, Captal de Buch .
— Barbara de
— Beatri.x de
— Bernard de
— Cecily de. nie Baliol
— Christiana de, nie Ledet . . .
— Edith de
— Emma de
— Hawyse de, nie Burgh ....
— Herbert de
— Isabel de, nie Basset
— Isabella de
— Jehan de, Captal de Buch . . .
Capt.il de Buch, K. G. . . .
312
hide
Grelly, Joan de 210
— Margery de, nie Longchamp . . 209
— Peter de 209
— Pierre de, Vicomte de Benauge . 210
— Robert de (nth ceiu.) . . . . 20S
— Robert de, son of Thomas . . . 209
1st Baron Grelly of Manches-
ter (i2th cent.) 208
— • — 4thBaronGiellyof Manchester 209
6th Baron Grelly of Manchester 209
— • Thomas, 5th Baron Grelly of Man-
chester 209
— — 7th Baron Gielly of Manches-
ter 209
Grenrion Underwood 137
Gienfell, Cecil 278
— Pascoe St. Leger 2(jS
Gresley, see also Grasley, Greasley,
Greisley, Grelli, Gressely.
GRESLEY. (i) Places and Things-
Hall 117-8
VillageCChurch Gresley and Castle
Giesley). Value of the manor
in 1573 75
— inquisition about rights there,
1330 '92
— . . . . 23-6, 39-40, 43,46-7,
■;i, 64, 66, 71-2, S3, yo,
92,94, 104- .s, 109,' lUJ-
20, 124, 126, 132, 156,
172, 176, 199
Canal no
Castle, account of it 171
Chartulary .... 213,217,219
Church 113
— account of it, paitly by \V.
Wyrley 179
Jewel 164
Motto 81
Pottery 117
Priory. . .37-8,41,47-50,62,126
— account of it 172
— seals and arms of it . . . . 17S
GRESLEY (ii) Persons-
family, Pedigrees (II-VII) . 224-34
— probable number at present
alive 13s
— an ancient right of gallows . . 41
— the arms, seals, crest, motto . 201;,
cf. 3*6
— arms in Gresley Church . . 179
— account of papers and collec-
tions relating to the family . 21 2-19
(unknown Christian name) d. 1535
or 1536 156
— A. u. 1623 156
— A. D. 1646 156
— dau. of John, of Congerston
(iSthcent. ?; 157
Gresley:
Gresley, of Liverpool, A. D. 1896 157
— nie Hill (Austr., 19th cent.) . 145
— nie Peiin (Austr., 19th cent.) . 144
— nie Phillips (Austr., 19th
cent.) 144
Adelaide Frances.dau. of William,
d. 1844 151
Agatha de (13th cent.), see Bee,
Agatha de.
— ;i3th-i4th centt.), see Grime,
Agatha.
Agues de (13th cent.), see Bee, Agnec
Agatha de.
— prioress of Gresley priory (13th
cent.), account of her . . 36, cf. 35
— wife of Sir Geoffrey (1 3th cent.) 41
Agnes, a nun, A. D. i-;3S-40 , . 156
— Elizabeth, dau. of Sir \V. N.
Gresley (19th cent.) . . 131,219
Alice de (13th cent.), see Fitz- Alice
Gilbert, Alice de.
— wife of Henry (13th cent.) . 34
Alice (,15th cent.), see Egerton,
Alice.
— nie Beaufo, abt. A. D. 1500 . 156
— nie Beaiijo (16th cent.) . . . O7
Dame Alice de, nie Siuinnerton
(14th cent.) 49
Alicia Frederica, dau. of Nigel
J. D. (Austr., 19th cent.) . . 146
Alcna or Kdclina or Elena de,
wife of Engenuiph \,l2th cent.) . 27,
111,194
Almeria Georgiana Eliza, dau. of
Sir N. B., d. 179S 120
Ambrose 65
Amelia, dau. of John (Wore, iSth Amelia
cent.) 139
— dau. of John (Wore, iSth-igth
centt.) 140
— Charlotte, dau. of Charles
(Wore, 19th cent.) . . 140,219
— Mary Whitchurch (Wore, 19th
cent.) 140
Andrew Robert, son of Richard,
d. 1833 •...■•.. 149
Anna Maria (Worc.\ d. 1845 . 13S
Anne de (dubious : 15th cent.) . 54 Anne
Anne, dan. of Sir John (15th
cent.), error for Elizabeth Gresley 60
— (16th cent.) ...... 65
— dau. of Sir George (16th cent.) 67
— dau. of Thomas, (,i6th-i7th
centt.) 231
— dau. of Henry (Wore, 17th
cent.) 136
— dau. of Thomas (17th cent.) . 23*
— dau. of Sir Thomas ( 1 7th-i Sth
centt.) 94
Portrait 100
— dau. of Charles (iSth cent.) . 95
Index
313
Gresley :
Anne, dau. of Charles (Wore, I Sth
cent.) 139
— dau. of Charles (Wore, iSth
cent.) 141
— dau. of Francis (Wore, iSth
cent.) (A) 137
(Wore, I Sth cent.) (B) . 138
— dau.of Henry (Wore), d. 1808 142
— dau. of Sir Nigel, ' Graceful
Gresley,' d. 1797 112
— dau. of Robert(Worc.), d. 1799 139
— dau. of Chailes L. (N. Wales),
d. 1S06 147
— wife of Philip (Wore., iSth-
19th centt.) 137
— dau. of Charles L. A. R. (N.
Wales, iQth cent.) 147
~nie Bolt, A. IT 20 95
— nde Corbet {idth. cent.) ... 67
— wife of Simon, nie Dixwell
(i6th-i 7th centt.) 68
— n^e Farmer, A. i-]()6 . . .103
Dame Anne, n:!e Ferrers (i6th-
ifith centt.) 62
Anne, wefe HardUy (N. Wales,
19th cent.) 147
— nie Betherington (i6th cent.) 6S
— H<fe Laden (Wore, 18th cent.) 13S
— nie Macnainara (N. Wales),
d. 1S57 147
— nie Fease (Wore, igth cent.) . 140
Dame Anne, n^e Stanley (i5lh
cent.) 60
Anne, «tfe Watkins.A. 17S1 . . 108
— wife of Simon, nde IVood (iQih
cent.) 68
Anne Wright, fi/e Scott, d. 1S64. 151
Antony, son of Sir William (16th
cent.) 65
Arthur, son of Edward ^iCth-i 7th
centt.) 231
— son of Thomas, d. 1645 . . 232
— Francis, son of Sir W. N., R.N.
(19th cent.) 131
— Spencer, son of Nigel (19th
cent.) 131
Augusta Blanche, dau. of Nigel
J. D. (Austr.i, d. 1S88 . . .146
— Catherine, «t'e Leigh (19th
cent.) 124
— Penelope (19th cent.) . . . 124
Baibara, Lady, 7iie IVakot, d.
1724, account of her .... 101
Basilia de, wife of Robert (12th
cent.) 31
— wife of William (i2th-i3th
centt.) 34
Beatrice Georgina, dau. of Nigel
(19th cent.) 131
Bcnedicta, Lady, nie Vernon
(,i5th-i6th ceutt.). . . . 62,65
Gresley:
Benjamin, son of John, d. 1740 . 157
Rev. Blinman, son of Thomas
(Wore), d. 1772 13S
Bridget, dau. of Sir Thomas, d. Bridget
1652 94
— dau. of Sir George (17th cent.) 91
— dau. of Sir William, d. 1737 . 102
— n^e Burdet, d. 1685, account
of her 90
Portrait i6r>
Caroline, wt's Cra/g, d. iS 1 7 . .116 Caroline
— Anne, dau. of William, d.
1844 >5i
— i ranees (' Queenie '), dau. of
Francis (tgth cent.) .... 153
— Mary, Countess Langosco
(19th cent.) 148
Cassandra (?), dau. of Charles
L. A. R. (N. Wales, 19th cent.) . 147
— 7i^e Fearson (H. Wales), d.
1817 147
Catherine, see also Gresley, Kat- Catherine
— dau. of Sir John (15th cent.),
see Peto, Katherine.
— (1 6th cent.), see Winter, Kathe-
rine.
— ( 1 6th cent.) 65
— wife of James (i6th cent.) . . 63
— dau. of Sir Thomas (i6ih-i7th
centt.) 72
— dau. of Thomas (i6th-i7th
centt.) 232
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1635 • 7^
— dau. of Thomas, d. 1667 . . 91
— dau. of Arthur, d. 1671 . . . 232
— dau. of Simon, d. 1689. . . 233
— dau, of Sir Thomas, d.
if-94 94. iSi
— dau. of John (Wore),d. 1745 . 139
(.Wore, I Sth-igth centt.) . 140
— dau. of William (Austr.), d.
1S44 . . . • 144
— dau. of Charles L. A. R. ^N.
Wales, 19th cent.) 147
— nJe Aston, d. 1585 .... 68
Portrait 1G6
— de, Ui'e Camvile (i3th-i4th
centt.) 46
Dame Catherine, nie Sutton, d.
1 574 63, 164, iSo
^ account of her 66
Catherme, Lady, }it!c IValsing-
hain, d. 1585 71
— Portrait 166
Ceciha, dau. of Francis (Wore,
iSth cent.) 138
— KcV Leeson (Wore, iSth cent.) . 13S
Charles, son of Edward, d. 1592 . 231 Charles
— sou of Thomas (i6th-l'7th
centt.) 232
314
Index
Gresley :
Charles Charles, son ofCharlesCiJth cent.) 232
— sonof Sir Thomas, d. 1724 . 94, gj
— son of Sir Thomas, d. 1729 . 105
— son of Henry (Wore), d. 1 735,
account of him 138
— sonof Henry, (Wore, 1 8th cent.)i42
— son of Charles (Wore), d.
1761 139
— son of Thomas, d. 1 7S5 . .117
— son of Charles (Wore, iijth
cent.) 140
— son of John (Wore), d. 1S62 . 140
— son of Nigel (Worc.),d. 1864 . 140
— son of William (19th cent.) . 124.
21S
Charles Adolphus, son of John
(Austr., 19th cent.) .... 145
— Egerton, d. 1S57 124
■ — Francis, son of William
(Austr.), d. 1834 144
— Lee, son of John, d. 176S . . loS
son of Robert (N. Wales),
d.i847 147
Andrew Robert, son of
Charles L. (N. Wales), d. 1848 . 147
Rev. Charles Vincent (19th cent.) 124
Charles Willi.im, son of Charles
L. A. R. (N. Wales, 19th cent.) 147
Charlotte, dau. of Henry (Wore,
iSth cent.) 142
— dau. of John (Wore), d. 1850 I40
Christian, abt. A.D. 1500 . . . \y^
Christopher (i7th-i 8th centt.) . ijO
Clara, dau. of William (Austr.,
i8th-i9th centt.) 144
Clementina,dau.of Henry (Wore),
d. 1739 142
— dau. of Henry (Wore, iSth
cent.) 142
Dionysia de(i 2th-i 3th centt.), sec
Wiverston, Dionysia de.
Dorothy Dorothy, dau. of Sir Thomas
(i6th-i7th centt.), see Barlow,
Dorothy, Lady.
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1 715 . 94
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1729 . 105
— dau. of Sir Nigel (iSth cent.) .112
— dau. of Thomas, d. 1 767 . .115
— dau. of Francis (19th cent.) . 153
— Lady, nie Bowycr (i7th-i8th
centt.) 104, l8l
Portrait 166
— n^e Dethick {i6\.\i cent.) . 67,72
— n^e Wilcockson, A. 1746 . . 107
Edelina de _ (12th cent.), see
Gresley, Alina de.
Edmund de, son of Sir Peter
(14th cent.), account of him . 45,cf.44
Edward Edward, a monk, A.D. 1548-9 .156
— son of SirWilliam (iGthcent.) 65
— of Lichfield, d. 1 5S9. . . .15O
Gresley :
Edward,sonofSirGeorge,d.i594 66,76 Edward
— son of Thomas (A), (i6th-i7th
centt.) 231
— — (B), (i6th-i7th centt.) . . 233
— son of Henry (Wore, 1 7th
cent.) 136
— son of William (Austr., 19th
cent.) 144
— son of John (Austr.), d. 1855 . 145
Eleanor, dau. of Francis (Wore), Eleanor
d. I7«.i 137
— 7!,<e Buck (Wore), d . 1 703 . . 1 36
Eleanor Louisa (19th cent.) . .124
Ekna de, see also Gresley, Alina Elena
de.
— (I2th cent.) 27
— (i6th cent.) 67
— «tfe Revell (14th cent.) . . . 4G
Klias de, 1272-1310 154
Elinor, dau. of Sir George (lOth
cent.) 67
— dau. of Robert (Austr., iSth
cent.^ 143
Eliza Ellen, jjA' Smith (N. Wales,
19th cent.) 1^7
Elizabeth O5 Elirabeth
— (15th cent.), see Montford,
Elizabeth.
— dau. ofSirThomas (i6thcent.),
see Moutgomer)', Elizabeth.
— (i6th cent.), see Somerset,
Charles.
— dau. of Sir William (i6th-l7th
centt.) 69
— dau. of Thomas (i6th-i7th
centt.) 231
— dau. of Sir George, d. 1607 . 84
(17th cent.) 84
— dau. of Simon (17th cent.) . 233
— dau. of Thomas, d. 1674 • • 91
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1693 . 94,
iSi
-dau. of Charles (Wore), d.
1739 13S
— dau. of John, d. 1744 . . .108
— dau. of Robert (Austr., iSth
— cent.) 143
dau. of Francis CWore, iSth
cent.) 137
— dau. of Charles (Wore, iSth
cent.) 139
— dau. of Philip (Wore), d.
1758 137
— dau. of Charles, d. 1775 . . 95
— dau. of Thomas, d. 1792 . . 103,
116,141
— dan. of Robert ( Wore), d. 1800 139
— dau. of John, d. 1802 . . .108
— dau. of Henry (Wore), d. 1825 143
— dau. of Sir Nigel, d. 1839 . .112
— dau. of Richard (19th cent.) . 149
Index
315
Gresley :
Elizabeth, n^e Bahepuiz, wife of
William (13th cent.) .... 38
— nie Barton (Wore, l7th-iSth
centt.) 137
— nle Black (Austr.), d. 1849 . 144
— nie Brooke (Wore, lylh
cent.) 135
Dame Elizabeth, ?;^« C/ar^//(i4th-
1 6th centt.) 55
Elizabeth, nie Crosse (Wore),
d. 1776 139
— nie /VaK^i (i6th-i7th centt.) 08,
90
— wife of Sir Thomas, nie Harvey
(iCth cent.) 7', 76
— nie Lee, d. 1733 103
— nie Surinan (Wore, iSth
cent.) 137
— nie Vincent, d. I'jdc) , . . 114
Portrait 16S
— nie Wakelin (i6th-i7th centt.) 231
— nie Wilkes (iSth-igth centt.) .117
— Lady, tiie IVyttn, d. 1793,
account of her 112
Portrait lOO
Elizabeth Augusta, dau. of Sir
N. B.,d. 1S08 120
Ellen, dau. of Sir Thomas (15th-
i6th centt.), see Strelley, Ellen.
— d. 1531 or ipsa 156
— dan. of Charles L. A. R.
(N. Wales, 19th cent.) . . . 147
Emma, dau. of William, d. 1S15 . 122
Dame Emma, nie JIaitini;s (15th
cent.) 61
Emma Sophia, dau. of Sir N. B.,
d. 1813 120
Portrait 16S
Enge de (late 13th cent.) . . .154
Engenulph de, son of William
(Ingold) (i2th cent.), account of
him. .27,0^30,187,189,194,198
— (I3th-i4th centt.) .... 28
Esther, dau. of William (Austr.),
d. 1871 144
Ethel Beatrice Lempriere, dau. of
Nigel J. D. (Austr., Jpth cent.) . 14(5
E-anny, dau. of Francis (Wore,
i8th cent.) 138
Felicia de (12th cent.), see Dure-
dent, Felicia.
Ferrers (Wore), d. 1691 . . .135
Ferris, son of Thomas (Wore),
d. 1717 i.^S
Frances, dau. of Edward, d. 1574 . i jij
— dau. of Thomas (17th cent.) . 232
— dau. ofSirGeorge (17th cent.) . 91
^ Lady, d. 1711, petition of
Tliomas Gresley about her, abt.
A. D. 1700 95
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1713 . 93
PAGE
Gresley :
Frances, dan. of Thomas, d. 1713 103 Frances
— dau. of Charles (1 8th cent.) . 95
— dau. of Thomas, d. 1770 . . 117
— dau. of Sir Nigel, d. 1S36 . .112
— dau. of Sir W. N. Gresley,
d. 1S41 131
— Lady, nie Morewood, d. 1711,
account of her 93
two letters from her . . 98, 99
— nie Wakefield^ 1 6th- 1 7th centt. ) 1 56
Lady Frances Louisa, nie Spencer-
Chnrchill {i^ih COXA.) . . .133
Frances Mary, dau. of William,
d. 18SS 122
Francis, son of Charles (Wore), Francis
d. 1703 13S
— son of Henry (Wore), d. 1773,
account of him . . . 136, cf. 219
— son of Francis (Wore), d.
ir7« 137
— son of Charles (Worc.\ d.
1791 13S
Major Francis, son of Richard,
d. 1880, account of him . . .152
Francis Edward, son of Francis,
d. 1S78 146, 153
— Reginald, son of Charles
(Wore), d. 1812 140
Geoffrey de (iv), son of William Geoffrey
(13th cent.), account of him . . 35,
cf. 20, 205
his seal 36
— son of Geoffrey (13th cent.) . 36
Sir Geoffrey de (vi), son of
William (I3th-I4th centt.), ac-
count of him . . 38, cf. 190, 206
— his seal 41
Geoffrey de, A.D. 1321 . . .46, 155
Sir Geoffrey de(viii), d. abt. 1331,
account of him . 46, cf. 26, 192-3
— his seal 47
Geoffrey de (14th cent.) ... 46
— son of Edmund (^I4th cent.) . 45
— son ofSir Thomas (15th cent.) . 53
— son of Sir Thomas (iSth cent.),
account of him 105
Rev. Geoffrey Ferrers (19th cent.) 123
Sir George (xv 6), d. 1 548, account George
of him. . . 65, cf. 164, 166, iSo
George, son of Robert (i6th cent.) 63
— son of James (16th cent.) . . 63
— son of Thomas (i(5th-i7th
centt.) 232
(17th cent.) 232
— son of Simon (17th cent.) . . 233
Sir George (.wiii), 1st Bart., d.
1 65 1, account of him . . 8o,cf. 126
— his place at the funeral of
I'rince Henry, 1612 .... 85
— three letters from him, 1644-5 86
— Portrait 166
3i6
Index
Gresley :
George George, son of Sir George (17th
cent.) 91
— son of Sir George, d. 1704 . . 91
George, son of Richard, d. 1812 . I49
George Nigel, son of Nigel (19th
cent.) 131
Georgi.ia Georgina Ann, Lady, nie Reid
rigth cent.) 102, 130
— Portrait 16S
— Wilmot, dau. of Sir W. N.
(19th cent.) 131
Gertrude, Lady, n^e Crammer,
d. 1791 105, 16S
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1 749 . 105
Gervas, of Basford (iSth-igth
centt.) 157
Gdes (i6th cent.) 65
Grace Grace, dau. of Sir William (l6th
ca\l.),see Wolseley, Grace Lady.
— dau. of Charles (17th cent.) . 232
— dan. of Sir Thomas, d. 1 709 . 94
Harriet Harriet, dau. of Henry (Wore,
I8th cent.) 142
— dau. of Sir Nigel, d. 1S32 . .113
— dau. of William (,19th cent.) . 122
Hastings, son of Sir William
(i6th-i 7th centt.) . . . .68,90
Hawisia Hawisia de, njc de Boykston
(1 2th cent.) 29
— (I2th-I3th centt.) .... 27
— dau. of John (Wore, 18th-
19th centt.) I40
Henrietta Selina, dau. of Nigel
J. D. (Austr., 19th cent.) . . 145
Henry Henry de (or de Wetmore), son
of William (1 2th cent.) ... 28
— son ofRobert(i2th-i3th centt.),
account of him 31
— son of William (13th cent.) . 34
— A.D. 1354 155
— son of Sir Thomas, d. 159S . 72
— son of Sir George (17th cent.) yi
— son of Henry (Wore, 17th
cent.) 136
— son of John (Wore), d. 16 78,
account of him 136
— son of Charles (Wore), d.
1697 13S
— son of Francis (Wore, iSth
cent.) 103, 141
— son of Francis (Wore), d.
1773 137
— sou of Henry (Wore), d. 1786 142
• — son of Charles (Wore', d.
1810 140
Henry Lee, son of John (Austr.),
d- 1S32 145
— Scott, son of William, d.
1S68 151
Herbert Herbert, son of Nigel J. D.
(Austr.), d. 1857 I4O
Gresley :
Herbert Leigh, d. 1859. . . .124 Herbert
— Nigel, son of Nigel(i9thcent.) 131
Hervey de, A. D. 1203 . . . .153
Hugh de, A. D. 1320 155
Humphrey, son of Sir William
(i6th cent.) 65
Ingenulphus de, se& Gresley, En-
genulph de.
Ingerannus, A. D. 1 201 . . . .153
lugold de, see Gresley, Engenulph
de.
Innocentia de (15th cent.), see
Curzon, Senecha.
Isaac W., d. 1868 157
Isabel de, nJe Tamhorn (14th- Isabel
15th centt.) 51
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1694 . iSi
Isabel Beatiice (19th cent.) . .124
— Herbert, dau. of Nigel J. D.
(Austr., 19th cent.) . . . .146
Isabella, d. 1646 232
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1694 . 94
Isobel Clare Milliceiit, dau. of
Nigel J. D. (Austr.), d. 1S78 . 146
Isolda de, wife of Robert (13th
"nt.) 41
James, son of Sir Thomas (i6th James
cent.) 62, 63
Rev. James, son of Thomas, d.
1745 103
James.son of Robert (Austr., iSth
cent.) 143
James Henry, son of John (iSth
cent.) loS
— Thorley, son of William
(."Vustr., 19th cent.) . . . .144
Jane or Joan de (15th cent.), see Jane
Astley, Dame Jane de.
Jane, dau. of Sir William (l6th-
17th centt.) 69
— dau. of Sir George (17th
cent.) 91
— dau. of Thomas (Wore), d.
i7>5 '3S
— dau. of Robert (Austr., i8th
cent.) 143
— nie Bemifo {ydth. <itVL\.>j . . . 67
— >!^e Bus/y {I c,th cent.) . . . 155
— ru'e Cannon (Wore), d. 16S8 . 138
— Ht'f CraH/ (iSth cent.) . . .105
— >u'e Hurt (l8th cent.) . 104, 14a
— nic Nelson, d. 1702 .... 91
— Htt Sharpe (Austr., 19th cent.) 145
— He'd Whitchurch (Wore), d.
1S42 140,141
Jane Charlotte, nie Drummond
(19th cent.) 123, 153
— Frances, nie Jesson (Wore,
19th cent.) 140
— Giammer, dau. of Geoffrey, d.
1S03 lofl
Index
317
Gresley :
Juan Ae,scc also Gresley, Jnne de.
— (14th cent.), see Butler, Joan
de ; Wale, Jo.in de.
— dan. of Sir Thomas (istli
cent.), see Browne, Joan de.
— dau. of Edward, d. 11^76 . . 1:^6
— of Lichfield, d. 1 5S7' . . .1J6
— n^e Blinman (Wore.'), d. 1726 158
(Worc.),d. 174S . . . .138
— nie Devon (Wore., iSih cent.) 139
— K«'<;i)/or^(i6th-i7thcentt.),72, 135
Dame Joan de (Wasteneys), Ktfe
Toly (14th cent. 1, account ot her 49
Joanna (Wore, iSth-igtli centt.) 138
— Beatrice, nJc Wilson (19th
cent.) 131
Dame Johanna de, nk Stafford
(I3th-I4th centt), account of her 43,
190, 1 98
John 65
John de, son of Walter (13th
cent.) 154
— son of Robert and Isolda (13th-
14th centt.) 41,45
— A. D. 1305 IJ4
— (14th cent.) 48
— prior ol Gresley (14th cent.) . 48,
176
Sir John de (ix), d. abt. 1395 . . 176
— account of him 48
— his seal 49
John de (early 15th cent.) . . .155
Kir John de (xii), d. 1449, account
of him 54, cf. 52
John (15th cent.) 155
Sir John, Kt. (xjii), d. 1487 . . 155
— account of him 57
John, son of Sir Thomas (15th-
i6th centt.), account of him . . 62
— (i6th cent.) 63
— son of Edward, d. 1559. . .231
— son of Edward, d. 1570 . . . ii;6
— A.D. i=,94-6 156
— son of Sir Thomas, d. 1623 . 72,
— son of John (Wore, 17th cent.) 13s
— d. 1656 156
— son ot Henry (Wore), d. 1718 136
— son of Sir Thomas, d. 1 733 . 105
— of Abbot's Bromley, d. 1742 . 157
— of Congerston (iSth cent.?).
Three generations of Gresleys of
these names occur 157
— son of John (I Sth cent.) . .157
— sonof Erancis(A), (Wore, iSth
cent.) 137
(B), (Wore, 1 8th cent.) .138
— son of John (Wore, i8th cent.) 140
— sonof Charles(Worc.),d. 1780 139
— son of Thomas (Wore), d.
1781 13S
Gresley:
Jolm, son of Thomas, d. 17R2. . I17 John
— (x.\ii), son of Thomas, d.
'7S3 107
Rev. John, son of John, d. 1795,
account of him 107
John, son of John (Wore), d.
1796 139
— son -of Charles (Wore), d.
1S18 140
— son of William (Austr.), d.
186S 144
Rev. John Morewood, d. 1866,
account of him 122
— his account of Gresley
Priory 172
— his Gresley collections . . .217
John Scott, son of William, d.
1S44 151
— Walsey, son of Robert (N.
Wales), d. 1779 147
Josephine Lempriere, dau. of
Nigel J. D. (Austr.), d. 1865 . 146
Judith, dau. of Arthur (17111
cent.) 232
Juliana de (i3th-i4th centt.), see
Spencer, Juliana le.
. — perh. wife of Geoffrey (13th
cent.) 37
Katherine, see Gresley, Catherme.
Ratline de, A. D. 1340 .... 155
— A.D. 1380 155
Laura, dau. of Nigel J. D. (Austr., Laura
19th cent.) 146
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1S56 . 133
— Anne, Lady, ttje IFilliams
(19th cent.) 132
Laurence, son of Sir Robert (19th
cent.) 133
Rev. Laurence Stafford (19th
cent.) 123
Lee, d. 1749 103
Letitia de Ci3th-I4th centt.) . . 2S
Lettice, dau. of Simon (17th Lettice
cent.) 233
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1735 . 94
letter from her to Mrs. Balli-
don, abt. 1720 100
Louisa, dau. of William, d. 1840 . 151 Louisa
— Elizabeth, dau. of William,
d. 1S61 122
— Florence, dau. of Nigel J. D.
(Austr., 19th cent.) .... 146
— Georgiana Maria, dau. of Sir
N. B. (i8th-i9th centt.) . . .120
— Jane, dau. of Sir Nigel, d.
1S06 . . . 113,119,121-2,16')
Portrait 168
— Mary, dau. of Sir W. N. Gres-
ley (19th cent.) 131
Madeline, dau. of Nigel J. D.
(Austr., 19th cent.) .... 146
3i8
Index
Gresley :
Margaret Margaret de (i 2th cent.) . . . 2S
— (Babendon), (I2th cent.) . . 21
— (15th cent.), ses Babthorpe,
Margaret de.
— dau. of Sir Thomas (15th
cent.), see Blount, Dame Mar-
garet.
Margaret (i6th cent.) .... 67
— (i6th cent.) 156
— dau. of Edward (16th cent.) . 156
— dau. of Charles (Wore), d.
I?" 13S
Dame Margaret de, n(e Gernon
(14th cent.), account of her . . 47
— her seal 47-S
Margaret, Lady, nie Mulsho (i6th
cent.) 66
Dame Margaret, nie A'orwooJ
(15th cent.) 55
— de, nie Walsh (I4th-i5th
centt.) 53
Margaret Morewood (19th cent.) . 124
Margery de, lu'e Somcrvile (:3th
cent.) 36
Maria Maria, dan. of Simon (17th cent.) 233
— dau. of John (Wore, iSth-
19th centt.) 140
— dau. of William (19th cent.) . 124
Maria EUza, Lady, nie Garway, d.
1840 120, 121, 124
— Elizabeth, nie Archer (19th
cent.) 123, 234
Marianne Harriet, nie Abbott
(Austr., 19th cent.) .... 145
Martha Martha, dau. of Henry (Wore,
iSth cent.) 142
— dau. of John (iSth cent.) . . 157
— «i'f jS'a;;// (i Sth cent.) . . .157
Mary Mary, dau. of Sir Thomas (15th-
i6th centt.), see Forster, Mary.
— dau. of Sir William (i6th-
17th centt.) 69
— (i6th-i7th centt.). Error for
Elizabeth Gresley, nee Francis . 90
— dau. of Sir George (17th cent.) 91
— (17th cent.) 232
— dau. of Thomas (17th cent.) . 232
— dau. of Henry (Wore), d.
1657 136
— A. D. 1667 ij6
— d. 1674 156
— dau. of Sir Thomas (i7th-iSth
centt.) 94
— dau. of Francis (Wore, iSth
cent.) 13S
— dan. of Charles (Wore), d.
J7S7 141
— dan. of William (Austr., l8th-
19th centt.) 144
— dau. of Robert (Wore), d.
1S04 '39
Gresley :
Mary, dau. of Thomas, d. 1834 . 116 Mary
— nie Aliye (Wore), d. 1664 . 136
— ttie Amiingson, d. 1797 . . 108
— nee Bradley, d. 1766 . 108, 286
— nie Davis (Austr.), d. 1818 . 144
— nie Deane, d. 1791 .... 108
— (error for Jane), nie Grant
(iSth cent.) 106
— nie Gresley (Wore), d. 1753 . 138,
142
— nie /ones (Wore), d. 1804 . 139
— nie Lipcomb (Wore, i Sth cent.) 1 37
— nie Marsh (Wore, i8th cent.) 139
— nie Phillimore 116
— nie Smith (Austr.), d. 1861 . 145
— Lady, nie Southwell, d.
1622 71
— }iie Thorp, &.\%(>^ . . . .122
• — nie Thorp, A. 1S94 .... 152
Mary Anne, dan. of Simon (17th
cent.) 233
dau. of Robert (N. Wales,
iSth-i9th centt.) 147
■ daughter of Charles L. (N.
Wales), d. 1827 147
dau. of William T. (N.
W'ales, d. 1S33) 147
dau. of Charles L. A. R.
(N. Wales), d. 1878 .... 147
Penn, dau. of John (Austr.,
19th cent.) 145
— Elizabeth, dau. of William,
d. 1868 151
— Lilian, dau. of Francis (19th
(cent.) 153
— Louisa, dau. of Francis (19th
cent.) 153
— Susanna, dau. of Sir Nigel, d.
1S20 113
Nicholas fitz-Nigelde(i 2th cent.), Nicholas
account of him, the founder of
the Longford line ... 21, 1S7
Nicholas de, son of Robert (12th-
13th centt., dubious) .... 31
— A.D. 1330 192-3
— (14th cent.) 46
Sir Nicholas de, Kt. (x), d. abt.
1 3S0, account of him .... 50
Nicholas, son of Sir John (15th
cent.) 55. 57
Nigel de,d. abt. 1115, see Stafford, Nigel
Nigel de.
— son of William (i 2th cent.) . 28,
1 8 7-8
Nigel, son of Thomas, d. 1 761 . 115
Sir Nigel, 6th Bart. (xxiii},d. 1 787,
account of him . . . 109, cf. 164
— Portraits 166, 168
Nigel, eight sons of William
(Austr., iSth-iQth centt.) . . 144
— sonofSirN. B.,d. 1816 . 120,181
Index
319
Gresley :
Nigel Nigel,sonof.SirRobcrt(i9thcent.) 133
— son of Nigel J. D. (Austr.,
19th cent.) 146
— son of Charles (Wore), d.
1884 140
Rev. Nigel, son of Sir W. N.
Gresley, d. 1897, account of
him 131
Sir Nigel Bowyer (xxiv) , 7 th Bart. ,
d. 180S, account of him, 117, cf. 165
— Portraits 166
Nigel Bowyer, son of Nigel (19th
cent.) 131
— Egerton (19th cent.) . . .124
— John Davis, son of John
(Austr.), d. 1S79 145
— Morewood (19th cent.) . 123, 234
— Scott, son of William, d. 1S63 152
Rev. Nigel Walsingham . 123, 218
Oliver (15th cent. ?) 155
Paganus de (13th cent.) ... 28
Penelope, Kt'^ Vavasour,&.\%^'& . 123
Sir Peter de, Kt. (vii), account of
him 42, cf. 206
Peter de, son of Sir Peter (14th
cent.), account of him 45, cf. 43-4
Peter (iSthcent.) 143
Petronilla de, see Audley, Petro-
niUa de.
Phihp Philip,ofCorgerston(iSthcent.?) 157
— son of Francis (Wore), d.
1763 137
— son of Philip (Wore), d. 1825 137
— A. D. 1854 157
Ralph Ralph de, or de Hethre (12th-
I3thcentt.) . 28,30,187,189,205
— seals of his 28,32
Ralph de, A. D. 1303 .... 154
Rebecca Maria, nie Harvey, d.
1S76 137
Reginald de (i2lh cent.), ac-
count of him and his son
Reginald 29, cf. 190
Reginald (Wore; 17th cent.) . . 133
Richard Richard de (13th cent.) . . . . 2S
— (I3th-I4th ccntt.) .... 28
— (14th cent.) 155
— A.D. 1481-91 135
— son of Robert (Worc.),d. 1739 139
— Newcombe, son of Richard, d.
1S37 116,148
four letters from him, 1821 157
— son of Thomas, d. 1850, ac-
count of him . . 115, cf. 106, 148
Capt. Richard Nigel, son of
Francis (19th cent.) .... 152
Richard Scott, son of William, d.
Robert Robert de, son of William "(ii)
(I2th cent.), account of him . 29, cf.
187-90
PAGE
Gresley :
Robert, d. abt. 1203, confused Robert
with his uncle Robert . . 27, 30
— A.D. 1215 154
— son of Geoffrey (13th cent.) . 36
— son of Sir Geoffrey (13th
cent), account of him .... 41
— (I3th-I4thcentt.) .... 28
— Canon of Gresley (i3th-i4th
centt.) 176
— A.D. 1300 154
— A.D. 1340 155
— (14th cent.). Married Kathe-
rine de Camvile : perhaps the
same as Sir Robert de Gresley
of Edingale 46
Sir Robert de (of Edingale), son
of Sir Peter (14th cent.), account
of him 45. cf. 43-4
— his seal 46
Robert de, son of Sir Robert
(14th cent.) 46
— (I4th-I5th centt.). Probably
an error for Roger de Gresley,
son of Sir Nicholas .... 51
— son of Sir Thomas (i6th
cent.) 62, 63
— son of Thomas, d. 1585 . . 156
— A.D. 1594-6 156
— of Watton fi7th-iSth centt.) . 156
— son of Thomas (Wore), d.
1713 13S
— son of Robert (Wore), d.
17.79 139
Capt. Robert, son of Sir Thomas
(iSthcent.) 104,142
Robert, son of John (iSth cent.). 108,
146
— son of Robert (Austr., iSth
cent.) 143
— son of Charles (Wore), d.
1760 139
Sir Robert (xxvii), nth Bart. 1 26 k,
127, 130 «
— account of him 133
— account of Drakelowe by him 161
Robert Archibald Douglas, who
assumed the name of Gresley . 137
Roger de, A. D. 1 210-12 . . .153 Roger
— son of Sir Peter (14th cent.),
account of him .... 46, cf. 45
— son of Sir Nicholas (i4th-i5th
centt.), account of him ... 51
Sir Roger (xxv), 8th Bart., d.
1837, account of him, I24,cf.i2i, 173
— Portraits 166-7
Roger, son of Francis (19th cent.) 153
Rev. Roger St. John (19th cent.) 123
Rosamond Evelyn (19th cent.) . 124
Rose 65
— Elizabeth, dau. of Francis
(19th cent.) 153
320
Index
Gresley :
l<-a\\\ SWngihy , nt'e Dtincor>ibe . i,^j,
Sarah Sarah (17th cent.) 151)
— A. D. 1655-6 156
— dau. of Arthnr (17th cent.) . 232
— dau. of Sir Thomas, d. 1736 . 9 s
— dan. of Francis (Wore, iSth
cent.) 137
— dan. of Henry (Wore, iSth
cent.) 142
— dan. of John (Anstr., :9th
cent.) 145
— nde Lighton (iSth-igth centt.) 157
— nee Oborne (Wore), d. 1746 . 141
Sarah Ann Lowe, dau. of William
(Austr.), d. 18S4 144
Selina, dau. of Sir Thomas, d.
1738 105
Senecha de, see Curzon, Senecha.
Simon de (Longford), (12th cent.) 21
— A.D. 1279 154
Simon, son of Thomas (i6th-i7th
centt.) 231
— d. 1637, account of him . . 6S
' Sleaneya ' 1 05 «
Sophia (Wore. "I, d. 1849 . . . 138
— Amelia, dau. of Sir W. N.
Gresley, d. 1853 131
Lady Sophia Catherine, nie
Coventry, A. 1875 . 125, 127, 130,
164
— Portraits 167
Sophia Editha, dan. of Sir Roger,
d. 1823 128
Stephen de, A.D. 1 199 . . . .153
Stephen, d. 1637. Error for
Simon Gresley 68
Stukeley Marmaduke 1,19th cent.) 123,
234
Susan Susan,dan. of Thomas (i6th-i 7th
centt.) 232
— dau. of John (Austr.), d. 1844 . 145
— Lady, nie Ferrers . . . . 83
— Isabel Garstin (' Daisy '), dau.
of Francis (19th cent.) . . .153
Thomas Thomas de, A. D. 1317 . . . .154
— son of Sir Peter (14th cent.),
account of him 44
— A.D. 13S0 155
— A.D. 1429 155
Thomas 65
Sir Thomas de (xi), d. abt. 1445,
account of him 52
— his seal 53
Sir Thomas (xiv), d. 1503, account
of him 61
Thomas, son of Sir George (i6th
cent.) 67
— son of Sir William (i6th
cent.) 65
— (i6th cent.) 156
— of Stopleford, d. I5:;S . . .156
Gresley :
Thomas, son of Edward (i6th- Thomas
17th centt.) 231
Sir Thomas (xvii), son of Sir
William, d. 1610, account of him 69,
cf. 68, 213
— list and value of his manors
in 1573 74
Thomas (xix), son of Sir George,
d. 1642, account of him ... 89
Portrait 166
— son of Arthur (17th cent.) . . 232
— son of Thomas (17th cent.) . 232
Sir Thomas (xx), 2nd Bart., d.
1699, account of him .... 93
— petition of Thomas Gresley
about him, abt. A. D. 1700 . . 95
— account of his monument in
Gresley Church iRo
— -Portraits 166, 16S
Thomas, son of Thomas, d. 1709 . 103
— son of Charles (\Vorc.\ d.
1727 ' . . 138
— son of Sir Thomas, of Nether
Seile, d. 1743, account of him . 102
• petition from him about his
settlements, about A. D. 1700 . 95
Portrait 16S
letter to him from his mother
(1689 or 1690) 98
Sir Thomas (xxii), 4th Bart., d.
1746, account of him . 104, cf. 168
— Portraits of him and his
family 166
Thomas, son of Robert (Austr.,
i8th cent.) 143
— (iSth cent.) 156
— son of John (iSth cent.) . . 157
Sir Thomas (xxiii), 5th Bart., d.
1753, account of him .... 109
— Portrait 1 66
Rev. Thomas, D.D., of Nether
Seile, d. 1785, account of him . 113
Thomas, son of Geoffrey, d. 1 798 . : 06
— son of Blinman (Wore, i8th-
19th centt.) 138
— son of Thomas, d.1817, account
of him 115
Sir Thomas (xxvi), loth Bart.,
d. 1868, account of him 131, cf. 167
Thomas Morgan, son of Richard,
d. 1807 148
Thomasine, dau. of Sir John, d.
I481, see Darell, Thomasine.
— perh. dau. of Sir John (15th
cent.), see Wrottesley, Thoma-
sine.
Dame Thomasine de, tt^e Wasle-
neys, account of her . . 5 1 , cf. 50
Ursula, dau. of Sir William (t6th
cent.) 65
— 65
Index
321
Gresley :
Vincent de, A. D. 1321-49 . .46,155
W. B., A. D. 1792 15';
Walslnghara Walsingham, son of Sir Thomas,
d. 1633, account of him . 72, cf. iff^
letter from him abt. Lord
Wentworth's arrival in Dublin,
Jan. i63f 76-9
Portrait 166
— son of Henry (Wore), d. abt.
■713 i3<>
— son of John, d. 17S6 . . . loS
— son of William (Austr., iSth-
19th centt.) 144
Walter Walter de, of Donisthorp (13th
cent.) 154
. — son of Henry (Wore), d. 1737 142
— son of Sir Thomas, d. 1S64 . 133
Wilhelmina Mary (19th cent.) . 124
William William 65
William i^tz-Nigel de (i), d.
1 1 66 ?, account of him . 24,cf.32,
172. 175. i79> 187. 190
William de (Longford), (i 2th cent.) 21
— son of William (i 2th cent.) . 28
— (iii), son of Robert (I2th-i3th
centt.), account of him 32, cf 18S-
90, 205
— A.D. 1240 154
— (v),son of Geoffrey (13th cent.\
account of him . . . 37, cf. 28,
36, 1S8, 206
his seal 37
— son of Robert (13th cent.) . . 41
— (I3th-I4th centt.). Two of this
name were ordained early in the
14th cent 154
— A.D. 1319 155
— (14th cent.) 50
— A.D. 1374-5 If.')
— abbot of Beauchief, d. 1433 . 56
William, B.C.L., A.D. 1466 . .155
— A. D. I48I 155
Sir William (xv a), d. 1521, ac-
count of him 64, cf. 206
his seal 65
— (xvi), d. 1573, account of him 67,
cf. 66
list and value of his manors
in 1573 74
— son of Edward, d. 1586. . . 231
— sonof Edward, d. 1589 . . .156
— son of Sir Thomas (i6th-i7th
centt.) 72
— son of Thomas (17th cent.) . 232
— son of Simon (17th cent.) . . 233
— son of Sir William (early iSth
cent.) 102
Sir William, 3rd Bart, (xxil, d.
1710, account of him . .100, cf. 96
— Portrait 166
William, son of Thomas, d. 1717 103
Gresley :
William, son of Sir Thomas, d. Willian
1724 104
— son of Sir Thomas, d. '1731 . 105
— son of Robert, of Watton (iSth
cent.) 156
— son of John (i8th cent.) . . 157
— son of William Theophilus, d.
1784 loS
— son of William (Austr., i8th-
19th centt.) 144
Rev. William, son of Thomas, d.
1829, account of him, I2i,cf. 114, 124
— Portrait 166
William, schoolmaster at Marl-
borough, d. 1843 143
— son of William, d. 1844 . .151
— son of John (Austr.), d. 1852 . 145
Rev. William, of Boyne Hill, d.
1876, account of him .... 140
William de Aula de, A. D. 1308 . 154
William Francis (19th cent.) . . 23^
— Lee, son of Sir W. N. Gresley,
i. i«
t3i
— Nigel, son of William T. iN
Wales), d. 1837 . . . .' . 147
Rev. Sir William Nigel (xxv),
9th Bart., d. 1S47, account of
him 129, cf. 126
— Portraits 16 7-8
William Nigel, son of Francis
(19th cent.) 153
— Stukeley (19th cent.) . . . 123
— Theophilus, son of John, d.
1826, account of him . 108, cf. 147
— Toplis, son of Charles L.
(N. Wales), d. 1836 . . . .147
Wilmot, Lady, nie Gresley, d.
1 790, account of her, ii9,cf.I09, 181
Portrait 166
Gresseley, William de, see Greasley,
William de.
Grey, Ciceley 283
— Edward, Lord Grey of Wilton . 262
— Isabella 29::
— Thomas, of Gresley . . . . 117 «
— William, Lord Grey of Wilton . 27,^
Grim, John 4,5
— Ralph 189, 276
and Agatha 28
and Margaret and John . . 28
Grindon or Grinton, in Yorkshire . i.^.;
Grisling or Gresley, family ... 65
Grote, Caroline, d. 1817, see Gresley,
Caroline.
322
Index
Growtey
Vs
Harvey, Rebecca Maria, see Gresley,
P.C.
• Guerre des Belles Dames ' . . .
jj
Hastings, the College of Secular
Guilford, Sir John
29s
Canons in the Castle ....
ISS
Gunning, —, of Sutton
'15
— or Senlac, battle of
10
— Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton,
Hastings, family, Pedigree ....
262
d. 1790
167
— Anne
2.S4
— Maria, Countess of Coventry, d.
— Emma, dau. of Sir Ralph, see
246
Greslev, Emma.
Gyll, Col. George F. and Alicia
— William, Lord Hastings, d. 1483,
Frederica, «,f^ Gresley . . .
146
covenant to defend him in 1474-
p and 14S1 55
,60
Hacker, Elizabeth ......
261
Hatfield, in Worcestershire . . .
1,6
Haddon Hall .... 57, 63, 65,
10^
Hathersedge, Cecilia
279
Hainault, Baldwin Count of . . .
i^
Hatton, Anthony
244
Hales, family, Pedigree
260
Haute Bruyere
12
.Sir Bartholomew Elizabeth and
149
Katharine
72
Hawkesbnry, Lord, see Foljambe,
Halifax, in Yorkshire
140
Cecil G. S.
Hall, George Webb and Maria, n^e
Hawley, Agnes
240
Gresley
— R. Gresley
140
Haytcr, Prances Jane
26S
21q
Haywood, Great and Little . . 66
7,=;.
— Thomas and Mary, «/« Greasley .
211
185
199
Hallett, Amelia, n^e Gresley . . .
HP
Heathcote (Hedcote) . . 28, 40
4.1.
Halsey, Alice
201
172, 176, 1S3, 198-y
Hambury, John de
44
— family, Pedigree
263
Hamersley, Jane L. W
27S
— Emma Sophia, H<fe Gresley . .
120
Hamilton, Lady Albertha F. A. . .
27S
Portrait
1 68
— Duchess of, j<re Gunning, Elizabeth,
— Sir John Edensor and Anne, «cV
d. 1790.
Gresley
112
Hammond, Joseph and Sarah, nie
Gresley
li^e
Heather (Hethdra) ... 30, 1S6,
199
Hanbury
63
Hebertus, Bp
.s
Handford (Heneford) ... 185
iqq
Heckstall, Margaret
2.S4
Hansacre, Anne
281
Hedcote, see Heathcote.
Harcourt, Anne
270
Heg\vin, Osbert de
l.S,^
— Elizabeth
2^S
Hellicar, Joseph and Henrietta, n^e
— Sir Tohn
262
Gresley
140
— Sir Simon 67, 76,
2S6
— Thomas and Catherine, «<<« Gresley
140
Hardlev, Anne, see Gresley, Anne.
Hendenhouse Heath, see Clifton.
Hardwick, Anne
297
Heneage, George
277
Hargrave, Henry J. B. and Augusta
Heneford, see Handford.
Blanche, n^e Gresley . . . .
146
Henley, Lady Catherine ....
246
Harington,Lady,if«NevilI,Cathenne.
Henrietta Maria, Queen ....
168
2S1
21.^
Henry vi. King, Dame Jane de
Astley, n^e Gresley, his nurse .
Harland, John
f'h
Harper, Mary
260
Henry vii, King
60
Harpur, family
[)0-I
Henry, Prince, d. 1612, account of
Pedigree
261
his funeral 84, cf
8i
— Dorothy (15th cent.) . . . .
2.H
Herbert, Chariotte
28S
— — (17th cent.)
296
Herdeby
i?i
— Rev. John and Mary, «/e Gresley .
91
Hereford, Earl of, see Fitz-Osberne,
— Sir Richard and Elizabeth, nie
William.
Gresley
m
Herleberg, Roger de .... 187-8
and Katharine
Herschell, Sir John and William,
Harries, William
>fi
astronomers
MS
Harrow School
Herte, John and Annes
fS
Hartington, Margaret
247
Heteleia, see Wetley.
Hartley, near Coventry
40
Hethdra, see Heather.
Harvey, Elizabeth, dau. of James,
Hetherington,Anne,i«t'Gresley,Anne.
see Gresley, Elizabeth.
Hethre, Ralph de, see Greslev,
— James 7
.76
Ralph de.
Index
323
Hewett (Huwet), Sir Walter ... 50
High Leigh, in Cheshire . . . .124
High Parle, near Droitwich . . .137
Hilda, daughter of Hrolf Nefja . . 2
Hildresham 154
Hill, — , sec Gresley, — , n^e Hill.
— John 256
Hinton on the Green 115
Hispania, Rogerus de 6
Hixon (Huitedone, Hnxon, &c.) . 40-1,
43. 47. 64, 75. 1S5, 199
Hobart, in Tasmania . . . . 145-6
Hobhouse, family 141
Hochstadt, battle of, A. D. 1703 . . 94
Holand, Matilda de 2S4
Holbech, Capt. Edward A. and Mary
Louisa, nie Gresley .... 153
Holies, John, Earl of Clare, d.
1665 136
Holne priory 20
Holywell, in Flintshire 147
Honthorst, William 167
Hood, Wilmot,K« Gresley, Wilmot,
Lady.
Hoord,Jane 63, 25S
Hopegood, Mrs. — .... 9S, 102
— Francis loi
Hopton, Florence 248
Hordley 154
Horsley Woodhouse 131
Horli Carolini Rosa Altera . . .136
Horton, William 69
How, Mary Louisa 113
Howe, Ch.-irlotte Sophia, Baroness . 115
Hrolf, see Rollo.
Hugh, archbp. of Rouen, d. 9S9 . . 3
Huglies, Rev. — , of Newton Longue-
viUe 131
Hulcius, fictitious name (?) ... 3
Humphreston, Cassandra .... 258
Humphrey, — , son of Dr. Lawrence
Humphrey 86
Huncdeus 3
Hunt, William le 45
Huntingdon, Earl of, see Waltheof.
— Judith or Adeliza, dau. of
Waltheof, Earl of . . . . 13. '9
— Matilda, dau. of the Earl of . 15, 19
Hurst 200
— Grace 273
— Herbert, his ground plan of Gres-
ley priory 1 7.5
Hurstpierpoint 144
Hurt, Jane, see Gresley, Jane.
Hustedone, see Hixon.
Hutchins, Rev. W., of Bath . . .124
Hutchinson, Sir Thomas .... S3
Huwet, Sir Walter, see Hewett, Sir
Walter.
Huxon, see Hixon.
Ilfiacombe
Ilkley (Ylkesleye) 47
India 136
Indies, West loS
Ingp, family 91
— fimily. Pedigree 264
— • Frances 91, 93, 251
— Henrietta 26!
— William, d. 1690 93
— William, d. 1731 180
Ingleby (Englebi) . . . . 1S3, 200
Ingram, Barbara 251
Ipswich 45
Iruham, Lord, d. 1787, see Luttrell,
Simon.
Italy 5. 126
Ivar, Jarl of the Uplanders ... 2
Jackson, Dr. Cyril, Dean of Christ
Church, Oxford 115
— Capt. George and Susan, /a'e
Gresley 145
— Sir Philip 291
Jamaica 291
James i, King 167
Jansen, Cornelius 166
Jeayes, Isaac Herbert 2x6
Jelly, John and Harriet, ne'e Gresley,
and their family 113
Jenetts, Richard 299
Jenkinson, Catherine 291
Jervas, Charles, d. 1739 .... 102
Jesson, Jane Frances, see Gresley,
Jane Frances.
Jewitt, Orlando 123
Jodrell Hall, in Cheshire . . . .124
John, son of Alma 28
— Prince, Duke of Bedford, son of
Edward iv, d. 1435 .... 55
Jones, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
— Robert and Mary Ann, fu<e
Gresley 147
Jortz, Sir Robert de 394
' Katharine of Kent' 72
' Katharine of York 72
Kegworth 211
Keith, Lady Elizabeth 263
Kempsey, in Worcestershire . . .120
Kendal, Francis Russell, and Mary,
«ife Thorp, and their family, 152, 285
Kenilworth . 21, 25, 39, 116, 14S-9, 152
Kerke, Rev. Richard and Catherine,
tiiie Gresley 232
Keroualle, Louise Renee de, Duchess
of Portsmouth 167
Kettle, Tilly 166
Kevillioc, Agnes de, see Ferrers,
Agnes de.
King, Gregory, Lancaster Herald . iSo,
206
Kingsbury Cliffe, in Warwickshire . 107
Kingshurst 60
324
Index
Kingsley (Chingeslei) . . 25, 18G, 200
Kingston . 36, 38-41, 43, 64, 71, 74-s,
1S8, 200
— dispute abt. the advowson of the
church 32. 37
— dispute about rights in the manor,
1588 (' Gresley's Case ') ... 73
Kirkby, William iiik
KncUer, Sir Gorlfrev 102
Knight, Elizabeth . ' 211
Knight of the Swan, account of the
romance, and the Toeni and
other families connected with it 14
Knighton 200
Kniveton, John 271
— St. Loe 54
Knypersley . 66, 104, no, in, 300, 242
Kuhue, Emily 143
Kynefare forest 40
L, near Belton, probably L(a Grace
Dieu) nunnery, st:e Grace Dieu.
La Belle Assemble or Court Maga-
zine 1 1 S
Laceby 65
Lacy, Petronilla de, see Toeni, Petro-
niUa de.
Lader, Ann, see Gresley, Ann.
' Lady Blackwig ' 105
' Lady Whitewig ' 112
Ladyhole, in Derbyshire . . . .103
Lambton (Lamberton) .... 64, 200
Lancaster, a quiver of Lancaster
make 34
— Duke of, d. 1361, see Plantagenet,
Henry.
— Honour of 32-3
— and York . . . 52-5, 57-9, 61-2
Lnngford, Edward 240
Langford Eondville 135
Langosco di Langosco, Count Ric-
cardo F. and Caroline M. («c'«
Gresley), and their family . . 148
Lanington (Lamington, Langton,
Lavington), near Oxford ... 47
Larden, in Shropshire 72
Launton, in Oxlord>hire .... 47
Lavendon. in Buckinghamshire . . 47
Lavers, James and Elizabeth, nie
Gresley, and their family . . . 143
— M. G 142, I43
Lawley, Elizabeth 236
Leamington . . . . 112,116,120
Le Blanc, Turstin fitz-RolIo ...11
Ledet, Christiana, see Grelly, Chris-
tiana de.
Lee or Lees, family. Pedigree . . 265
Lee, Mrs. — 105 «
— Elizabeth, see Gresley, Elizabeth.
— Frances Topp 2S5
— Richard de la Ij.i
Leeshill 74, 75, 200
Leeson, Cecilia, see Gresley, Cecilia.
— Ralph 249
Leicester 109,147,211
Leicestershire Archaeological Society 123
Leigh, family. Pedigree .... 266
— Augusta Catherine, see Gresley,
Augusta Catherine.
— Margaret I.'i6
— Ralph 249
— Thomas 249
Leland, John, his account of Drake-
lowe and Colton 66
Lemon, Dennis and Anne, nee Gres-
ley 139
Le Strange, Hamon 39
Leuric 184, 186
Leventhorp, Mary Anne, nee Gres-
ley 233
Leveriz, Walter 37
Leveson, Elizabeth 236
Levett, family, Pedigree .... 267
— Thomas and Wilmot Maria, n^e
Gresley 120
— Wilmot Maria, nje Gresley, d.
1845, Portrait 168
Lewis, David and Laura, nie Gres-
ley 146
Leyboume, Thomas and Alice de . 14
Leyre, William de 189
Lichfield . . 45, 82, icj-6, 112-3, 115,
117-8, 120, 122, 124-1;,
130-1, 150-2, 154-6,
i«5, 211.
— Gresleys in the Gild of St. Mary . 59,
61, 177
Lighten, Sarah, see Gresley, Sarah.
LilleshuU 154
Lilly, John, the astrologer . . . . S2
Limesay (Lindsay), Hugh de . . . 5
Lindsay, see Limesay.
— Elizabeth 263
Linton . 25, 37. 40, 43, 64, 75-6, 132,
172, 184, 186, 188, 200
— Inquisition about rights there,
A.D. 1330 192
Liolf 1S6
Lipscomb, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Lire abbey 7
Lisbon, pointers from the Royal
kennels 115
Liverpool .... 108, 131, 147, 157
Lloyd, Rev. G. W 106
Lockesley, Little 45
London, Gresley family there in the
17th cent 211
— Blackfriars 103
— Christ Church, Battersea . . .124
— Christ's Hospital, William Toplis
Gresley there in about 1820 . 147
— Fulham 116
— Gray's Inn, Edward Gresley ad-
mitted there in 1550 .... 66
Index
325
London, Great Cumberland Place, 13^, iftS
— Hertford St 109
— Inner Temple, Sir Will. Gresley
therein 1505-17 64
Sir Geo. Gresley there in 1598 80
Lee Gresley there in 1726 . . 103
Henry Scott Gresley there in
1S66 152
— Lambeth 144
— Lime St 71
— Lincoln's Inn, Richard Gresley
there in 17S8 115
— Middle Temple, William Gres-
ley there in 17S3 121
Richard Gresley there in 1791 115
Rich. Newcombe Gresley there,
1829 14S
— Portland Place 137
— St. Bennet's, Paul's Wharf. . .155
— St. Clement's in the Strand . .117
— St. Dionis iiackchurch . . . .156
— St. Dunstan's 68
— St. George's, Hanover Square, 128, 146
— St. Giles's in the Fields. . . . 233
— St. James's, Piccadilly . . 120,148
— St. Margaret's, Westminster . . 133
— St. Martin's in the Fields . . .116
— St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey 156
in Old Fish St 72
— St. Paul's, Shadwell 156
— Sardinian Chapel 14S
— Somerset House 144 n
— Strand 143
— Temple, Sir George Gresley buried
in the church, lOf ^ .... 83
— Trinity church 13
— Westminster, St. Anne's parish
mentioned 94
— Westminster School, Henry Gres-
ley there (17th cent.) .... 136
Will. Gresley there in 1811 . 149
Rich. Newcombe Gresley there,
1S15 148
William Nigel Gresley there in
1S17 129
Francis Gresley there in 181S 152
Account of the Coronation of
George IV by a Westminster boy
(R. N. Gresley), 182 1 . . . 157
Andrew R. Gresley there in
1826 149
Londonderry, Marchioness of, n^e
Vane-Tempest, d. 1865 . . .167
Longchamp, Margery or Alicia de,
see Gielly, Margaret and Alicia.
Longdon 68
— Simon de, Canon of Gresley . . 1 76
Longford, see Bubendon.
Longford 187
— family ... 2 1
Pedigree 279
— Anue Gi, 270
Longford, Elizabeth 249
— Helen de 237
-Joanna 271
Longueville, Sir John 262
Loughborough 115,122
Low, Ann or Llinor 250
Lowe, family, of Alderwasley . . . 144
— Clement 2S2
— Patrick 261
LoxhiU 200
Loxley 71. 74. "5> 200
Loynton 17
Lucy, Anne 236
— Elizabeth 291
Lulhngton . .28, 32, 34, 37, 39, 40-3,
47-8,64, 67, 90-1, 130,
172, 176-7, 186, 200, 232
— value of the manor in 1573 . 75,cf. 76
— Inquisition about rights there,
A.D. 1330 190
Lupus, Robertus 210
Luttreil, Simon, Lord Imham, afterw.
Earl of Carhampton, d. 1787 . 114
Lygon, Lady Emma Susanna . . . 246
Lyne, Joanna, uie Giesley .... 13S
Lyng, Ralph, Canon of Gresley . .177
Mabb, Isabel Herbert, see Gresley,
Isabel Herbert.
McAdam, John Loudon and Mari-
anne, KtV Hellicar 140
Macclesfield 91
Macdonald, Flora . . 110,164,167
McDougal, Thomas Sinclair and
Sarah A. L., tiie Gresley . . .144
McGhee. Rev. R. J 151
McGowan, George and Rose E., tic'e
Gresley I53
Macnamara, Ann, see Gresley, Ann.
Madan, family, Pedigree .... 268
— Rev. Spencer and Louisa Eliza-
beth, «^£ Gresley 122
Madrid, see Spain.
Malahulcius, uncle of Duke Rollo . 2-3
Mala Terra, Galfridus de, abbot of
Burton 22
Manchester 209
— Sir N. B. Gresley at the Grammar
School, about 1770 .... 117
— Chetham's Library 213
— Barons of, see Grelly family.
Manila "... 145
Mantfeld, Eleanor 56
Manwaring, Philip 79
M.aple Hayes 131
Marchington 45
Markham, Sir John 2S2
Markland, Arms in the church . . 14
Marlborough 144-5
— Dukes of, see Spencer-Churchill.
Marmion, Henry 252
Marsh, Mary, sec Gresley, Mary.
326
Index
Marsh, John and Amelia, tu'e Gresley 1 39
Marston 45
Mary Queen of Scots .... 69-70
Mascazzini, Giuditta 149
Mason, Elizabeth 211
Masscy, Margaret, &c., see Gresley,
Margaret, ni!e Norwood.
Mathews, Edward and Anne, tm'e
Gresley 95, 241
Matlock 14"
Matthews, — 263
Maurice of Nassau, Prince, d. 1625 . 167
Mavesyn Ridware 56, 201
Measham ii.s
Mcgginch Castle n6
' Meliore fide quam fortuna,' the
Gresley motto iv, 207
Mellis, — , «A' Gresley 1.^7
Melton Mowbray 14.^
Merevale Abbey 26,154
Meriden Hall . . . 116,148-9,152
Merston, Sir John and Rose ... 60
Messer, Ralph le 40
Methley, near Leeds 157
Meynell, family 172,178
Milan 148
Milboume St. Andrew 123
Milton, Rev. William and Mary, wt't;
Gresley 13S
Milverton 67
Milward, family. Pedigree . . . 2O9
— Mary, see Bowyer, Mary Lady.
— Robert 249
and Dorothy, Kt'e Gresley, 242, 296
and Elizabeth, m'e Gresley . 84
Miners, Henry, son of John le . . 45
— John de 44
Mireveldt, Michel J 167
Modwenna, patron saint of Burton
Abbey 22
Mogge, Robert, Prior of Gresley . 177
Monaco, Prince of 167
Mongewell 154
Monmouth, Thomas of 209
Montford, family. Pedigree . . . 270
— Simon, Joyce and Anne ... 61
— Thomas and Elizabeth, tu'e
Gresley 60
Montfort, Simon de 39
— Sir Simon and Anne de .... 60
Montfort I'Amauri, Simon de . . . 11
Montgomery, family, Pedigree . . 271
— Anna de 2S4
— Dorothy 258
— Ellen 2S9
— Sir John and Lady Elizabeth, «t'f
Gresley, &c 63
— Matilda 245
— Sir Nicholas and Matilda ... 65
— Sir Walter and Dame Johanna de,
nie Stafford 43
— Sir William and Dame Philippade 43-5
Monthermer, Ralph de. Earl of
Gloucester 42
Montmorency, Duchess of ... . 1O7
Moolte, Maud, see Stafford, Maud de.
Moore, Sir John, Lord Mayor of
London in 1681-2 . . . .93,102
— Rebecca 104
More, family, Pedigree 272
— Joan, see Gresley, Joan.
Moieton, Elizabeth 255
Morewood, family. Pedigree . . . 273
— Frances, dan. of Gilbert, see
Gresley, Frances, Lady.
— Gilbert 83
— Rowland 93
Morrison, Mary 260
Mortemer, battle of 9
Morton in Colwich, Staffordshire . 29,
39-40, 43, 47, 64, 185, 201
— value of the manor in 1573 . . 75
— in Gnosall 186, 201
— in Leicestershire 64
Moseley, Anne . • 298
Mosely, Catherine 291
Mosley, near Ashton-under-Lyme . 108
Mountjoy, Lord, see Blount, Sir
Walter.
Monntnorris, Lord, see Annesley, Sir
Francis, d. i66o.
Mount Sorrel, in Leicestershire . .211
Mousley, — , solicitor 1 26
Mugeston, Elizabeth 264
Mulsho, family. Pedigree .... 274
— Margaret, dan. of John, see Gres-
ley, Margaret.
Murray, Jane 242
Muscamp, Isabella or Agnes . . .210
Myers, Miss — 291
Nanney, Lowry 300
Nantwich 147
Naunton Beauchamp 137
Needham, Robert 236
Nelson, Jane, dan. of Thomas, see
Gresley, Jane.
Nether Seile, see Seile.
Nethersole, Sir Francis 86
Nettebreyder, Thomas, butler at
Drakelowe 49
Neuburgh, Robert de 12
Ncveis, William, Count of . . . n
Nevill, Catherine, Lady Haiington . 262
Newark 82
Newbery, John, of London . . . 103
Newbold Revell 46
Newby Abbey, in Lincolnshire . . =,f)
Newcastle, CO. Limerick, Ireland . . 140
— Upper Canal 1 10
New Hall 5°. 67, 7^
Newington 201
Newland, in Staffordshire . 74, 75, 197
Newport P.ignel 123
hidcx
327
New South Wales
Newton
— Dr. Richard, Principal of Hert-
ford College, Oxford ....
— Longuevillc
— Tony, in Wilts
New York
Nicholas, St
— Sheriff of Staffordshire, A. D.
10S7 27,
Nocton, Gilbert de
Nogent, ElizabethdeBroyes,Dame de
Norfolk, William de
Normandy, early settlements of the
Northmen
— Dukes of, their succession to
William the Conqueror . . .
— Richard III, Duke of, d. 1028,
charter by him
Normanton super le Hethe . . .
Norreys, Anne
— Sir John, d. 1597 . . . . 164,
Norris, Heniy
Northbury
Northmancote
Northvvich
Norton in Hales, Shropshire . . .
— St. Philip's
— by Twycross . 19, 39-40, 43-4,
1S6, 1S9,
Norton, Cecilia de, see Roucester,
Cecilia de.
— Sir Dudley 77
— Nicholas de
— Roger de 31,
Norwich
— Sir John
Norwood, South
— Margaret, dau. of John, see Gres-
ley, Margaret.
Nottingham 82, 147,
Novel, Elizabeth
Oakeley, in Shropshire, Bishop's
Castle near Oakeley . . . 101-2
— family 102
Pedigree 291
— Williarn and Barbara, nic Walcot 102
Oakthorp (.Achetorp) . . 40, 64, 172,
184, 2or
Oborne, Sarah, see Gresley, Sarah.
Odiliam 145
O'Donnell, Anna, Countess of Tyr-
connell 7^
Okely, John, last Prior of Gresley . 177
Okeover, Philip 249
Okethorp, see Oakthorp.
Oky, John, of Linton 154
Oldcote, in Nottinghamshire . . .211
Oldershaw, James 286
Oldfield, Leftwich .... 242, 300
Orkney, Sigurd first Earl of . . . 2
Orm le Gulden, or Guidon . . 27,198
Orme, son of Ailward 209
Orton-on-the-Hill 116
Osgathorp .... 51, 63-4, 154, 201
Osmund, Bishop 184
Ottley. family. Pedigree . . . .291
— Adam and Bridget, nie Gresley . 102
Ouche ;Uticum), Abbey of St. tvroul
there 10, 12
Over, Little 91
Over Seile, see Seile.
Oxford, John Gresley, Principal of
White and Pery Halls, 1506-9 . 62
— All Souls College, Charles Gres-
ley there in 1711 139
— Balliol College, Henry Gresley
there in 1594 72
Sir Geo. Gresley there in 1594 80
— — Sir Thomas Gresley there,
1716 104
• Sir Thomas Gresley there in
17.^9 '09
— Bodleian Library, ref. to a Gresley
signature in a Digby MS. . . 72
— Broadgates Hall, Charles Gresley
therein 1577 231
— Christ Church, Henry Gresley
there (T7th cent.) 136
Thomas Gresley there in 17S0 . 1 1.,
RichardGresley therein 1785 . 115
— — Sir Roger Gresley there, 1817 . 124
— ■ — Will. Gresley there in 1S19 .149
Rich. Newcombe Gresley
there, 1822 148
Sir VV. N. Gresley there, 1824. . 130
Henry Scott Gresley there in
1858 151
Nigel Scott Gresley there in
1S61 153
— Exeter College, J. M. Gresley
there in 1835 123
N. W. Gresley there in 1869 . 123
• L. S. Gresley there in 1875 . 123
— Gloucester Hall, William Gresley
there in 1603 73
— Hertford College, Thomas Gres-
ley there in 175 1 113
— Magdalen Hall, Francis Gresley
there in 1691 136
— Merton College, Hastings Gres-
ley there in I5S1 68
Charles Gresley there in 1585 . 232
— St. Edward's School 123
— St. Mary Hall, Sir R. Gresley
there, 1S29 130
J. M. Gresley there in 1840 . 123
— St. Peter-le-Bailey, Henry Giesley,
Rector, 1743 137
— Trinity College, Thomas Gresley
there in 1619 89
Sir Will. Gresley enters there
in 1681 100
328
Index
Oxford, Trinity College, Sir Will.
Gresley presents two silver cups,
1682 100
Robt. Gresley there in 17 14 .139
Charles Gresley there in 1718 . 139
Lee Gresley there in 1724-6 . 103
Rev. Elinman Gresley there in
17.^2 138
— University College, William Gres-
ley there in 1 781 121
N. E. Gresley there, 1879 . .124
— Wadham College, Henry Greeley
there, 1732 137
Packington 120
Packington, Anne 254
Paget family, Lords P.iget . . . 75, 92
— Rev. F. E 1 50
— Thomas, Lord Paget. The hang-
ings of his house used for Mary
Queen of Scots in 1583 ... 70
Paris 126, 149
Paris,Matthew,thechronicler, 154,1 79, 209
Parker, Hon. Elizabeth ...'.. 239
Parliament, Members of: —
— Derbyshire, Sir Geoffrey de Gres-
ley, 1300-1 40
Sir Robert de Gresley of
Edingale, 1340 45
Sir Thomas de Gresley, I400,
1405, I4I4, 1417 52
Sir John Gresley, 1422 . . . 54
1460 59
South, Sir R. Gresley, 1 83.S . 125
Sir Thomas Gresley, 1868 . 132
— Durham, Sir R. Gresley, 1830 . 125
— Lichfield, Sir The. Gresley, 17.S3 . 109
— Newcastle under Lyme, Sir
George Gresley, 1628 .... 81
— New Romney,SirR. Gresley, 1831 125
— Nottingham, William de Gresley,
i.^^3, 1397 5°
— Staffordshire, Sir Geoffrey de
Gresley, 1324 47
Sir John de Gresley, 1372 . . 48
Sir Thomas de Gresley, 1413,
1419 53
Sir John Gresley, 1450, 1453 . 57
Sir Thomas Gresley, 1477 • • ^i
Paston, Henry, son of Sir Thomas . 71
— Mary, see Gresley, Mary, Lady,
«tfe Southwell.
— Sir Thomas 277
Patrington, in Yorkshire . . . .146
PatshnU j3
Payne-Gallwey, Capt. Edwin J., see
Gallwey, Capt. Edwin J. Payne.
Paynell, — 282
Peachey, Nicholas 248
Peak of Derbyshire, Geoffrey de
Gresley, Governor of the Peak
or Peak Castle 35
Peak of Derbyshire, hunting in the
Forest 45
Sir Thomas de Gresley, Master
F'oresterof High Peak, abt. 1400 52
Pearson, Cassandra, see Gresley,
Cassandra.
Pease, Anne, see Gresley, Anne.
Pecche, Ralph, Hawisia and Nicholas 29
Peckham, near London 144
Pegge, Dr. Samuel . . . . 213,219
Pelham, Sir Thomas 73
Pembridge, Anne ij6
Pendrill,' Ella lio
Penkridge, in Staffordshire .... 232
Penn, — , see Gresley, — .
— J. L. and Catherine, n^e Gresley . 144
Pentric 1S3
Perpunt, Mabilia de 27
Pershore 137
Peshall, Adam, Joan, Nicholas, and
Sir Richard jo
— Sir Hamon and Dame Thomasine
de 51
Peto, Eleanor, Joan, John, Katherine
and William 56
Petyt, Nicholas 248
Peuvre or Peover, family .... 48
Peverel, William 19
— Honour of 189
Phillimore, Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Phillips, — , see Gresley, — .
— Elizabeth 264
Picot 1S5
Pictaviensis, Rogerus, see Poitevin,
Roger the.
Pierpoint, Isabel 261
Pipe Ridware 91
Pirinton, in Oxfordshire ij;4
Pitches, Peggy 246
Pitchford (Pyeheford) 102
— John de 45 {bis)
Plantagenet, George, brother of
Edward iv, Duke of Clarence,
d. 1477 Co
— Henry, Duke of Lancaster, d.
iS'ii 45. 48. 49
Pledwick, in Yorkshire 105
Plymouth 141
Poitevin, Roger the . . . .21,32,33
Pole, — 243
Polesworth 36, 115
' Polyxena ' 1 1 1
Port, Barbara 256
— Sir John, founder of Repton
School 271
— Rowland 242
Portsea 17S
Portsmouth, Duchess of, d. 1734 . . 167
Powtrell, John 2S2
Preston, in Lancashire 153
Price, — , schoolmaster at Lichfield
and Birmingham 115
Index
329
Price, Jane L. W 278
— Robert 250
Prinsep, Frances 267
Proby, Rev. Baptist John and Mary
Susanna, nie Gresley, and their
family I13
Puckering, — 84
— Dorothy 254
— Sir George, letter to him from Sir
G. Gresley, Jan. 23, 164I . . 86
— Sir Thomas, news letters to him
from Sir G. Gresley, 1629-34 . 81
Puys, Henry, of Rugeley . . . .155
Pybus, R. and Sarah, nie Gresley . 145
Pycheford, John de, see Pitchford,
John de.
Pycroft, Elizabeth 130
— Elizabeth, n^e W\\\ies,see Gresley,
Elizabeth.
Quadring family 209
' Quod desit, dolet ' 166
Radley School 124
Ragnhilda, see Hilda.
Ralph fitz-Hubert 186-7
— the Little (Parvus) 190
Rapendun, see Repton.
Ravenstone (Raunston) . . 30, iiS, 129,
1S4, 201
Ray, John, Canon of Gresley . . .176
Redhill, Frances 273
Redish, Alexander 249
Reginald, the Canon 176
— tirst Prior of Gresley . . . 25,175
Reid, family. Pedigree 291
— Georgina Ann, see Gresley, Geor-
gina Ann, Lady.
Remington, — 78
Repton (Rapendun) . 93, 123, 183, 201
— deanery. The seal mentioned,
1394 49
Reresby, Mary 261
Revell, family 46
— Elena, dau. of John, see Gresley,
Elena de.
Reynolds, Mrs., vifife of the Bishop . 167
— Bp. Edward, d. 1676 .... 167
— Hannah 290
— Sir Joshua 166, 16S
Rich, Lady, Portraits 167
— Sir Thomas 273
Richard iii, King, his coronation,
1483 60
— theForester(RichardChenvin~) . . 20,
'1S5, 1S7
— Prior of Gresley .... 176, 178
Ridware, Mavesyn, see Mavesyn Ridware.
— , Pipe, sec Pipe Ridware ....
— Chartnlary 216
Robben Island 123
Robert, Prior of Gresley . . . .176
Robert, son of William theConqueror 11
— fitz-Ralph 1S9
Robeson, Theresa M. E 268
Robinson, George and Christian, fu'e
Gresley 155
Roby, — 296
— Robert and Grace, wA" Gresley . 94
Rodes, Elizabeth, dau. of SirGodfrey,
see Wentworth, Elizabeth.
Roger, killed A. D. 1271-2 . . . 154
Rognvald, Jarl 2
RoUesley, Richard 249
Rolleston 155
— Anne 249
— Thomas de 2S0
RoUo, Duke of Normnndy (Rou,
Hrolf, Gongu-Hrolf) .... 2-3
Roman de Roit, quoted 10
Rosliston 68, 83, 201
— in Derbyshire, value of the manor
in 1573 75. cf- 76
Ross, Dr. — 145
— William and Eustachia de, nie
Greasley 211
Rossall School 131
Rou, see RoUo.
Roucester 37,40,154,176
— Ralph and Cecilia de, nie de
Norton 31
Rouloir, stream S
Rownall 211
Rowtor, see Birchover.
Rnding, Martha 264
Rugby 132
— Tlaomas Gresley at School there,
17S0 io5
Rugeley 49, 202
Rnggeley, Joyce 61,270
Russell,— 121
-J-E 150
— Mary 113
Ruthin 63
.Sacheverell, Henry 271
— James 249
— fane 256
Sad'ler, Gertrnde 236
— .Sir Ralph 70
Sahara Tony, in Norfolk .... 15
St. Alban's 19
— the battle of, 1455 58
St. Amand, Almeric de lyo
St. Decnman's («<; ato Barton) . . 13S
St. John, John de 14
— Mary Anne 288
St. Liz, Maud de, dau. of the Earl
of Huntingdon '5; '9
St. Omer, William and Petronilla de 13
St. Sauveur, Nigel de 5, 6
Salisbury (New Sarum) . . . 123,139
— Countess of, d. 171 3 167
Salmon, Frances 273
33°
Index
Saltash 6,^
Salwarp 137
Sampson, William, his Virtus post
fiinera (1636) quoted .... 90
Sanchia, Spanisti Christian name.
Note on it 54
Sancto Ivone, William de, Prior of
Gresley 177
Sandby, Paul 163
Sandlord, Marianna 263
Sandy Bay, near Hobart, Tasmania . I45
Sandybrook, near Ashbourne . 107, loS
Sardinia 73
Saram, New, see Salisbury.
Savage, Christopher 2S1
— Sir John and Lady Alice ... 65
Saville, — , Vicar Choral of Lichfield
Cathedral, d. 1803 118
Saward, Henry Fitz- 175
Saybome (?), William, Prior of
Gresley I77
Sbem 1S4
Scadbury, in Staffordshire .... 71
Scarborough 120
Scarsdale, Lord, see Curzon, Rev.
A. N. H.
Schareschulfe 155
Scopestone, see Swepstone.
Scotland 40,45,59
Scotney 61
Scotsley 185,202
Scott, Anne Wright, see Gresley,
Anne Wright.
Scrope, Elizabeth 245
.Seals, Gresley seals in general . . 205
— Geoffrey de Gresley's seal (13th
cent.) 36
— Sir Geoffrey de Gresley's seal
(13th cent.) 41
— Ralph de Gresley's seal (13th
cent.) 32
— William de Gresley's seal (A)
(I3th cent.) 32
(B) 37
— Sir Geoffrey de Gresley's seal
(14th cent.) 47
— Sir John de Gresley's seal (14th
cent.) 49
— Dame Margaret de Gresley's seal
(14th cent.) 47
— Sir Robert de Gresley of Edin-
gale's seal (14th cent.) ... 45
— Sir Thomas de Gresley's seal
(i^thcent.) 53
— Sir William Gresley's seal, 1510. 65
Seaton Ross, in Yorkshire . . 64, 202
Segrave, Gilbert de i^-S
Scile, Nether and Over . 40, 44 (Whete-
londes heath), 45, 57, S3,
92, <j4-5, 98-9, 103-6,
111,1 13-7. 121-4, '^9"
31, 172, 202
Seile, Nether and Over, value of the
manor in 1573 75, cf. 76
— Pointers 115
Seile, Ralph de, deed by him, abt.
1166 25
— William de. Prior of Gresley . .176
Selleck, Rev. Nathaniel 264
Selman, Margaret, dau. of William . 64,
255
Selston 210
Senault, J. F 136
Senegal 104
Senlac, Battle of 10
Severn Stoke 136,288
• — Croome Court 125
Seveme, Florence, poem by her on
the Gresley Motto iv
Seward, Anna .... 112,118,121
— letter from her, 1 794 .... 165
Seymour, John 178
— Sir Robert 73
Sh., W., verses by him (Shakes-
peare?) 73
Sharpe, Jane, see Gresley, Jane.
Sharrat, Hugh and Mary, nie
Gresley 156
Shaw, Stebbing. Sir N. B. Gresley's
contributions to Shaw's Stafford-
shire 119
Shawe, Henry Cunliffe and Georgina
Wilmot, tiie Gresley, and their
family 131
Shayle 41
Sheepy Magna 114,116
Sheffield 69
Shcnstone 114
Sherard, Sir Philip 261
Sherborne, in Dorset 73
Sheriffs of the Gresley family :—
— Derbyshire (and Nottingham-
shire), Sir John de Gresley,
i.?.=;8, 1372 48
Sir Thomas de Gresley, 1426 52
• Sir John Gresley, 1453 . . . 57
— ■ Derbyshire, Sir Thomas Gresley,
1591, 1603 71
Sir William Gresley, 1704. . loi
— — Sir Thomas Gresley, 1750 . . 109
.Sir N. B. Gresley, 17S0 . .117
Sir Roger Gresley, 1826 . . 125
— Leicestershire, Thomas Gresley,
1712 l°3
— Staffordshire, Sir Thomas de Gres-
ley, I399> H22> 1439 • • ■ ■ 52
.Sir Thomas Gresley, 14S9,
1497 6r, 62
Sir George Gresley, 1537,
I.M4 66
Sir William Gresley. 1561 . . 68
Sir Thomas Gresley, 15S3 . . 69
.Sherrington, near Newport Pagnell . 141
Shipley, in Derbyshire 132
Index
331
Shirley, Francis
— Ralph
Shoreham, New
Shrewsbury
Shrigley, Dorothy
Sidney, Sir Philip
Simpson, \V. and Mary Ann, ne'e
Gresley
Sims, Richard 213,
Sivardingescotes, see Swadlincote.
Siward 1S2
SIcefiington, family gi
Pedigree 243
— Hester 242
Slough loS
Smalley, Eliza 272
Smidesbi, see Smisby.
Smisby (Smidesbi) .... 184, 202
Smith, Daniel and Anne, kA- White . 141
— Eliza Ellen, see Gresley, Eliza
Ellen.
— J. R 168
— John, Prior of Gresley . . . .177
— Mary, see Gresley, Mary.
Snareston 202
Snelston 63
Siiitterfield 72
Solihull 117
Somerset, family, Pedigree . . . 275
— Charles and Elizabeth, iit'e Gresley 67
Somervile, family. Pedigree . . .276
— Margery de, see Gresley, Mar-
gery de.
— Roger and Maud de 36
Southwell 131
— family. Pedigree 277
— Mary, dau. of Sir Richard, see
Gresley, Mary, Lady.
Spain 6, 10, 73, 115
Spaldingmore 202
Spence, Elizabeth 2S2
Spencer, Lady E 167
— Mary 236
— Robert and Juliana le (Dis-
pensarius : t3th-i4th centt.) 2S-9
Spencer-Churchill, family, Dukes of
Marlborough, Pedigree . . .278
— the Lady Frances Louisa, see
Gresley, Lady Frances Louisa.
Spurs, IJattle of, 1513 64
Stafford, town 17,6^,82
— family, Dukes of Buckingham,
their badge of the White Swan . 14
Earls of Stafford . . 17,74,179
Pedigrees 279-80
— Alice de, nde Fitz-Gilbert ... 16
— Avice de 17
— Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham,
award by him, 1455 .... 57
— Johanna de, see Gresley, Johanna
de.
— Matilda de 2S1
Stafford, Maud de, tu'e Moolte . 17, 279
— Millicent de 17
— Neel de (12th cent.), witness to
a deed 20
— Nicholas de (A) 17
(B) 17
— Nigel de, d. abt. 1115? . .17,25,28,
33, 183-6, 279
account of him (once called
Nigel de Gresley, once Nigel de
Thorp) 1S-21
— Robert de (R. de Toeni), d. abt.
10S8-9, account of him . . i6-t8
d. abt. 1 176 . . . 17,27,189
d. abt. 1193 17
— Sir William 299
Stamford 209
Standish, Elizabeth de 299
Stane 25
Stanhope, Sir Philip 80
— Richard 282
Stanley, family. Pedigree .... 281
— Anne, see Gresley, Anne.
— Anne 29S
— Sir John £9, 2S9
• — Maud 254
Stapenhill . 21-2, 63, 76, 94, 183, 19S,
202
Stapleford, in Nottinghamshire . .156
Staunton, in Worcestershire ... 68
' Stemmata Gresleiana ' . . . . 217-1S
Stewart, Arthur 268
— Catherine 26S
— Capt. J., of Alltyrodyn. Gres-
ley papers in his possession . . 93
— Hon. James H. Keith .... 26S
Stisted, Colonel — 263
Stoke (see also Severn Stoke) . . . 15.5
.Stokenham, in Devonshire .... 143
Stone priory, in Staffordshire ...17
Stowe, near Lichfield . . . 116, ijo
Strafford, Earl of, d. 1641, see Went-
worth, Sir Thomas.
Stratford Tony, in Wilts .... 15
Stratheam, Malice, Earl of, his
daughter Matilda 13
Stratton, Wilhelniina Sarah . 124,266
Strelley, family, Pedigree . . . . 2S2
— Sir Nicholas and Lady Ellen, tide
Gresley 62, 63
Strensham I.s6, I37
Stretton, Mary de, prioress of Grace
Dieu 36
— en le Field 115
Strutt, Major Charles and Madeline,
vJe Gresley 146
Stukelev, family. Pedigree .... 288
— Elizabeth 274
— Dr. William, the antiquary . .123
Suggenhall, Robert and I'etronilla
de
Suli
1, .Sir Richard Joseph
332
Index
Surman, Elizabeth, see Gresley,
Elizabeth.
Sussex, Duke of, see Augustus
Frederick, Prince.
Sutton, near Woodbridge . . . .115
— family, Lords Dudley, Pedigree . 283
— Dorothy, dau. of Lord Dudley . 299
— John, Lord Dudley 167
— Katherine, dau. of John Sutton,
Lord Dudley, see Gresley, Lady
Katherine.
Sutton Coldfield 60
Four Oaks, in that parish, 113, 114,
117
Swadlincote (Sivardingescotes) . 40, 43,
64, 173, 176, 183, 202
Swan, mention of the Swan badge
(i^e o/jo Knight of the Swan) . 14
— John and Mary 94
Swannington .... 186, iSg, 202
Swepstone (Scopestone) . . . 184,203
Swineshead abbey 208
Svvinnerton, fanaily, see Swynnerton,
family.
Swithamley 91
Switzerland 115
Swynnerton 43
— family, Pedigree 2 84
— Alice de, see Gresley, Alice de.
— Henry 258
— Sir John de 43; 271
— Roger de 48-9
Take, Elizabeth, see Toke, Eliza-
beth.
Talbot, Anne 289
— John 239
— Sir John and Lady Frances . . 63
Tamahore, see Tamhom.
Tamhom (Tamahore) . . 29, 1S5, 203
— or Timhom, Isabel de,Ji'i5 Gresley,
Isabel de.
Tamworth . 41, 62, 106, loS, 114, 116
Tarent Hinton, in Dorset .... 137
Tasmania 145
Tatenhill, in Staffordshire .... 95
Tatlock, Paul and Amelia, n^e
Gresley 140
Tattershall, Anne 262
Tatton, in Cheshire 55
Taunton 123
Tawke, Alice 65
Taylor, M. A 125
— Silas 251
Tegulense, Castrum, see Tillieres.
Terrell, William 23S
Testa de Neville, extracts from it . iSS
Tew, Great 124
Thicknesse, Governor Philip . . .111
Thingdon, or Finden, in North-
amptonshire 66
Thirlby 203
Thohins, see Toeni.
Tholosano, Baroness Esilda . . .149
Thomas, Prior of Gresley . . . .177
Thomas Crenville, E. I. C. ship . 152
Thompson, Hannah 290
Thoneio, Berengarius de, see Todeni,
Berengar de.
Thoresby 115, :2i
Thorley, Esther 144
Thorabury, Sir Johii and Joan . . 56
Thorp, family. Pedigree 285
— Mary, i^« Gresley, Mary.
— (Torp), Nigel de, see Stafford,
Nigel de.
Thorp Constantine (Torp) . . . 91,94,
1 86, 203
Thringstone 211
Throgmorton, Ursula . . . 258, 271
Thnrmaston, near Leicester ... 27
Thursfield (Turvoldesfeld) . . 185, 203
Thynne, Arthur, son of Lord John
ThjTine 152
Ticknall 68, 183, 203
Tillieres (Castrum Tegulense) . . 5-6
Timhora, Isabel de, see Tamhorn,
Isabel de.
Tinmor, William de 280
Tixall 60, 68, 91
Todeni, family, of Belvoir, account
ol it 15
— Adela, Agnes, Berengar, Geoffrey,
Robert de -15
Toeni, eponymous village of the
Toenis, see Tosny.
— family, see also Todeni family.
(Thohins, Thoeini, &c.),' the
family and its settlement in
England 1-15. 218
Pedigree 223
their arms 14
— Adelina (Adeliza) de . . . . 7
— Alice de, b. abt. 1 283, afterw.
Dame de Leyboume, Countess
of Warwick, and i)ame La
Zouche 13. 14, 235
«c'e de Bohun 1 3, 1 4
— Baldwin de, son of Roger iii de
Toeni 13
— Clarissa de 13
— Constance de, ?;tV Beaumont . . 13
— Elinantius (Helmant, Alinanz) de,
d. abt. 1040 6-7
— Elizabeth (Isabella) de, wife of
Ralph ii de Toeni 1 1
— Geoffrey de, son of Roger iii de
Toeni 13
— Gertrude (Ida) de 13
— Goda, dau. of Robert de, see
Ferrers, Goda de.
— Godehildis de, daughter of Ray-
mund, Count of Barcelona . . 6-7
dau. of Ralph ii. de Toeni . 12,14
Index
333
Toeni, Helbertus (Hebert, Herberz)
de, d. abt. 1040 6-7
— Hugh de 13
— Isabella de (A) 13
(B) 13
— Judith (Adeliza, Alicia) de . . 13
— Margaret de, dau. of Ralph iii de
Toeni 13
n^e Beaumont 13
— Matilda de, dau. of the Earl of
Stratheam 13
— Petronilla de, He't; de Lacy . . . 13
— Ralph i de, fl. 1000 . . . . 3, 5, S
— Ralph fitz Ralph de (occ. 102S) . 5
■ ii de, senex, d. 1105 .... 9
iii de, juvenis, d. 1125 ? . . 12
de, son of Ralph iii de Toeni . 13
iv de 13
vde, d. l294ori295 ... 13
— Richard de, son of Ralph iv de
Toeni 13
— Robert de, d. abt. 1088-9, ^<:^
Stafford, Robert de.
Baron de Tony, d. 1310,
account of him 13
— Roger i de, d. abt. 1040 . 2-3,5-6,
11 de, d. 1093 12
iiide, d. 1165 13
son of Roger iii de Toeni . . 13
— — ivde, d. 1239 9i "3
vde, d. 1277 13
— Simon de 13
Toft, in Norfolk 43, 203
Toke or Take, Elizabeth . . . .155
Toly, Joan, dau. of John, see Gresley,
Joan de.
Tony, Baron de, see Toeni, Robert de.
Took, Sir Robert 44
Toplis, family. Pedigree .... 286
— Mary, nie Bradfey, see Gresley,
Mary.
Torp, see Thorp Constantine.
Tosny, village (Thony, Todiniacum,
Toeni, Toni, Totteneium) . 3, 15
account of it 4
Totnes (Toteneium, Totenesium) . 15
Toulf 185
Towke, Robert 2S0
Towton, the battle there, 1461 . . 59
Trafford, family, Pedigree .... 287
— Philip and Elizabeth, ni!e Gresley . 91
Trangsby 184, 203
Trentham abbey 25
Trezgoz, Geoffrey 209
Trollope, Anthony, the novelist . . 13S
Trumpton, Richard 244
Tuchet, James, Earl of Castlehaven,
Lord Audley, d. 16S4. ... 78
Tudball, P. and Elizabeth, m'e Gres-
ley " 139
Tudor, Emma 263
Tunstal 27
— plea about rights there, A. D.
1347 194
Tunsted, Elizabeth 264
Turner, Capt. Ion and Louisa
Florence, tu'e Gresley . . 146, 219
Turnpenny, — , sub-chanter of Lich-
field Cathedral 17S
Turvoldesfeld, see Thursfield.
Tutbury 69-70, 76, 94, 203
— a quiver of Tutbury make . 34, iSS
— John de. Prior of Gresley . . .176
— Honour of 74, 75, 76
— Woodhouses .... 64, 76, 203
Twickenham loS
Twycross {see also Bilstone, and
Norton) 184, 203
Tyrconnell, Countess of, see O'Don-
nell, Anna.
Ufton, in South Winfield . . 183,203
Ulchel 1S3
Ulfac 1S5
Ulselei, see Wolseley.
Ulster, badge of 81
Ulwin 1S6
Urana in New South Wales . . . I,S3
Utermarck, — 157
Uticum, see Ouche.
Uttoxeter 82
U.\bridge 145
Valentia, Viscount, see Annesley, Sir
Francis, d. 1060.
Valparaiso 145
Vanderbilt, Consuelo 27S
Vane-Tempest, Frances A. E., Mar-
chioness of Londonderry . . . 167
Vavasonr, family. Pedigree . . . 288
— Penelope, d. 185S, see Greslej',
Penelope.
Venice 1.^2
Venner, Gustavus 156
Verdun, Henry and Hawisia de . . 27
— Philip de 38
— Nicholas de 153
— Roesia, foundress of Grace Dieu
nunnery 36
Vere, family 1 79
Vemey, Anne 60, 270
— Havise 2j6
Vernon family, of Haddon Hall,
Pedigree 289
— Alditha 2S0
— Benedicta, dau. of Sir Henry, see
Gresley, Benedicta.
— Elizabeth 281
— Hon. G.J. V 12.:;
— Henry 109
— Joan 270
— Sir John and Lady Ellen ... 63
— Mary 236
334
Index
Vernon, Matilda 28 1
— Sir William and Roger . . . 57,5s
Vetulis, Humfridus de 6
Vickerman, Elizabeth 238
Victoria, in Australia 145
Victoria and Albert, Koya\ Yacht . 153
Vigevano, in Piedmont 149
Vincent, family, of Sheepy .... 290
— Elizabeth, see Gresley, Elizabeth.
— Hannah, d. 1808 168
— William 142
Virginia, U.S.A., Geoffrey Gresley
there in about 1763-70 . . . 105
Waite, — 93
Wakefield, Frances, see Gresley,
Frances.
Wakelin, Elizabeth, see Gresley,
Elizabeth.
Walcot 112
— family. Pedigree 291
— Barbara, see Gresley, Barbara,
Lady.
— Richard and Elizabeth, ni>e
Gresley 84
Waldeife, Elinor 292
Wale, William and Joan, tu'e
Gresley 46
Walkelin, note on the name ... 33
Walker, Mary 261
Wall, John, of Wensley . . . 108,114
Walrant, John, Prior of Gresley . .176
W.al5h, family. Pedigree .... 292
— Margaret, see Gresley, Dame Mar-
garet de.
— Thomas and Katherine . . . 53, 56
Walsingh.am, family, Pedigree . . 293
— Sir Francis, d. 1590 . . . . 70, 73
— Katherine, dau. of Sir Thomas,
see Gresley, Katherine, Lady.
— Thomas de 2R0
Walter, Prior of Gresley . . . .176
— Elizabeth 244
Walthamstow 152
Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon . . 13
Walton on Trent . . 45, 75, 83-4, 105,
109-10, 120, 204
Wanlip i;3
Wanstord, Christopher 77
Ward, family yi
Ward, — , of Ravenstone . . . .129
— Gresley, Mary, Thomas and
William 94
— Richard 96-7
— Thomas and Dorothy, nie Gresley 94
Warde, Major-Gen. George . . . 26S
— Robert de la 42
Waring, Mary 291
Warmewell, Gunfredus de .... 20
Warwick 211
— Earl and Countess of, see Beau-
champ, Guy and Alice de.
Warwick, Earl of, see Beauchamp,
Richard de.
Wasteneys, family, of Colton and
Tixall . . . . 49, 60, 179, 206
Pedigree 294
— Elena de 2S1
— Joan de, n^e Toly, see Gresley,
Joan de.
— Rose 60
— Thomasine Ae,see Gresley, Dame
Thomasine de.
— Sir William de 154
— William de 281
and John de (13th cent.) . . 41
Waterpark, Lord, see Cavendish,
Henry Manners, d. 1863.
Waters, —, of Edial Hall . . . . 149
Waterton, Sir Robert 245
Watkins, Anne,d. 1781, j-fe Gresley,
Anne.
Watlington, in Norfolk 130
Watson, Daniel and Mary, nie
Gresley 94
— George and Harriet, ni!e Gresley 142
— Rev. Thomas H. and Ethel B. L.,
Kt% Gresley I4'5
Watton in the Wolds 156
Webb, Rev. Samuel and Anne, tih
Gresley 139
Weddington Hall 131
Welles, Joan, dau. of Lord . . . 262
Wellesley, Lord Arthur Charles . . 295
Wells 123
Weliford i?5
Wensley 107
Wentworth, Elizabeth, Countess of
Strafford, Kje Rodes .... 77
— George 78
— Sir Thomas, Vise. Wentworth,
Earl of Strafford, d. 1641,
account of his entry into Dublin
in 163$ 76, cf. 7.^
West, Katherine 282
Westacre, in Norfolk, abbey there . 13
West Indies, see Indies, West.
Westminster, see London.
Wetley (Heteleia) 32,204
Wetmore, Henry de, see Gresley,
Henry de.
Weymouth 153
Whaley, Dr. Nathaniel 290
Whalley, Rev. T. S 165
Whately, — , solicitor, of Birmingham 124
— Thomas 23S
Whitacre, Nether 115
Whitchurch, in Dorset 1 54
— James and Anne, >Ue G resley ,
and their family 141
— Jane, see Gresley, Jane.
White, John 261
— Michael and Mary, iic'e Gresley,
and their family 141
Index
335
Whitehalgh, — 269
Whitehall, family 90-1
— John and Frances, n^e Gresley . 9 1
Whitmore (Witemore) 1S5
Whittington 120
Whitwick 211
Wich, Sir Geoffrey 44
Widesers, see Winshill.
Wigton, Margaret de 257
Wilcockson, family. Pedigree . . 2b6
— Dorothy, see Gresley, Dorothy.
Wilkes, Elizabeth, see Gresley, Eliza-
beth.
— Mary 2S5
Willesley 40
William the Conqueror . . 2,9, 10
— St., of Norwich 209
— fitz Walkelin 187
Williams, family, Pedigree . . .295
— Dr. Daniel, his registers (now at
Somerset House, Loudon) men-
tioned 144
— Laura Anne, see Gresley, Laura
Anne, Lady.
Willingham 65
Willoughby, Avarilla, ?;/« Croxall . 107
— Cecile, we'f Gratian de Goudin . 107
— Cicely 283
— Ellen, Henry and Hugh ... 61
— Sir Henry 252
— Katherine 235
— Robert and Jane Gramnier, ni'e
Gresley, and their family . .106
— Sanche 282
Wilmot, family, Pedigree .... 296
— Dr. Edward and Elizabeth, nje
Gresley 84
— Sir Nicholas 261
— Robert 91
Wilson, Miss F., of Tamworth . . 116
— Joanna Beatrice, see Gresley,
Joanna Beatrice.
— W 286
— Sir William iSi
Wincobank, near Sheffield . . . .124
Wmdesers (Widesers), see Winshill.
Winfield, South, see Ufton.
Winford, in Somersetshire . . . .139
Wingfield 69
Winshill (Windesers?) . . 25,184,204
Winter, family. Pedigree .... 297
— Edward and Katherine, nje Gres-
ley 66
Winterdyne, in Worcestershire . .1.^2
Winterton, Wakelin de . . . . 31, 4.S
Wirksworth 107, 113
\\ itemore, see Whitmore.
Witham, in Essex 137
Witherly 103
Withmere 31
Wiverston, Stephen, Dionysia and
Henry de 27
Wolferstan, Elizabeth 24I
— Samuel Pipe 213
WoUaston, Rev. Samuel .... 91
Wolseley (Ulselei) 29, 40, 69, 1S5, 204
— family. Pedigree 298
— Agnes 240
— Grace, Lady, w/t? Gresley ... 69
Wolsey, card. Thomas 65
Wolverhampton 47, 204
Wood, — , Schoolmaster at Lough-
borough U5
— Anne, dan. of Thomas, see Gres-
ley, Anne.
Woodhorn Grange, near Morpeth . 153
Woodhouses, see Tutbury Woodhouses.
Woodrising, in Norfolk 71
Woodyat, Rev. Edward and Louisa
G. M., n^e Gresley, and tlieir
family 120
Worcester . . . . no, 116, 120, 136
— the funeral of Lady Gresley passing
through, 1790 119
— Earls of, see Somerset, family.
Worksop 71
Worle, in Somersetshire . . . .139
Worselay, Alice .s.s
Worthington, in Leicestershire . . 66
Wotton, Sir John 281
Wright, LyJia 266
— Richard 286
Wrinbill 61
Wrottesley, in Staffordshire ... 17
— family. Pedigree 299
— Major-Gen. the Hon. George . 56, 299
— Hugh ^6
— Sir J 118
— Thomasine de, in'e Gresley (i6th
cent.) ' 6o> 56
— Sir Walter 59
Wychard, Ralph 1^4
— Richard, of Shayle 41
Wynne, family. Pedigree .... 300
— Elizabeth, see Gresley, Eliza-
beth.
Wyoming, U. S. A 124
Wyrley, William 210, 213
account of Gresley church by
him 179
Wyveley 204
Ylkesleye, see Ilkley.
Yoxall 204
Zucchero, Taddeo 166
THE END.
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